How Long Does Crime Scene Cleanup Take? Realistic Timelines by Scene Type

Families often need to know the timeline for practical reasons — when can they return home, how long will a rental property be inaccessible, how soon can an estate be put on the market. Here's what actually drives the timeline and what to expect for each type of scene.

The Cleanup Process: What Happens at Each Phase

Regardless of scene type, professional biohazard cleanup follows a defined sequence:

1. Assessment and scoping (1-2 hours): The crew assesses the contamination area, identifies all affected surfaces and materials, and determines what can be decontaminated vs. what must be removed. This determines the overall job scope and timeline.
2. Containment setup (30-60 min): The affected area is sealed off with plastic sheeting and negative air pressure is established (for decomposition scenes) to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Biological removal (varies): Contaminated materials that cannot be fully decontaminated are carefully removed and bagged as regulated biohazardous waste — carpeting, subflooring, drywall, furniture. This is often the longest phase.
4. Surface decontamination (2-4 hours): All remaining surfaces are treated with EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants. Multiple applications with dwell time required for bloodborne pathogen elimination.
5. Odor treatment (varies): Enzymatic treatments and ozone remediation for biological odors. Ozone requires the space to be unoccupied — typically 4-8 hours for the treatment cycle, plus airing out time.
6. Post-cleanup testing (optional but recommended): ATP testing or other verification methods confirm surfaces meet safety standards.
7. Documentation: Written documentation of all work completed, biohazardous materials removed, and disposal manifests.

Timelines by Scene Type

Suicide (Contained, Single Room)

Typical timeline: 4-8 hours

A suicide in a single room with primarily hard surfaces (bathroom, kitchen) and limited spread is among the faster jobs. The contamination is typically concentrated, surfaces are more decontaminable, and structural material removal is limited. Add 4-8 hours for ozone treatment if odor is a significant factor.

If carpeting or drywall is contaminated: add 2-4 hours for material removal and disposal.

Unattended Death (Discovered Quickly, Minimal Decomposition)

Typical timeline: 4-10 hours

A body discovered within 24-48 hours before significant decomposition has begun is a more contained cleanup. Primary concerns are blood and bodily fluids. Hard surface decontamination, possible carpet or material removal, and odor treatment.

Unattended Death with Decomposition (Days to Weeks)

Typical timeline: 1-3 days

This is where timelines extend significantly. Decomposition fluid (called purge fluid) saturates porous materials — carpeting, padding, subflooring, and sometimes structural wood. The contamination is no longer surface-level. Full remediation requires removing all saturated materials layer by layer until you reach uncontaminated substrate.

In severe cases where the body was undiscovered for weeks or months, the contamination can extend through multiple layers of flooring. I've removed carpeting, padding, plywood subflooring, and treated the concrete slab below. That's a 2-3 day job minimum. See our detailed decomposition cleanup guide.

Homicide Scene

Typical timeline: 8-24 hours (clean scene); 1-3 days (severe)

Homicide scenes vary enormously based on the nature of the death and how quickly cleanup begins. A shooting in a contained area with hard floors may clean in 8-12 hours. A scene with extensive blood splatter, multiple affected rooms, and contamination to walls and ceilings takes significantly longer. Note: cleanup cannot begin until law enforcement officially releases the scene, which adds to the overall timeline.

Remember to read our guide on what families need to know about homicide cleanup.

Suicide by Firearm

Typical timeline: 8-24 hours

Firearm suicides typically involve significant blood spatter across a large area — ceiling, walls, and floor. The affected area is often larger than expected. Multiple surfaces need thorough decontamination, and ceiling contamination requires extra time and specialized equipment.

What Extends the Timeline

• Extensive decomposition: The single biggest timeline factor. Longer time before discovery = deeper contamination = more material removal required.
• Porous surfaces: Concrete, unfinished wood, drywall, and fabric all absorb biological material. Decontaminating these takes longer than hard sealed surfaces, and sometimes they must be removed entirely.
• Large contamination area: Multi-room contamination, ceiling splatter, or blood that has flowed to adjacent areas takes more time.
• Structural repairs: If significant material removal is required (subflooring, drywall), structural repairs are a separate phase typically handled by a contractor — not the biohazard crew.
• Odor severity: Severe decomposition odors may require multiple rounds of ozone treatment with full dwell time between applications.
• Accessing the property: Delays in law enforcement scene release, estate access issues, or disputes among heirs about authorization can add days before cleanup even begins.

The Gap Between Cleanup and "Move-In Ready"

Important distinction: biohazard cleanup is not the same as restoration. After the remediation crew finishes, the space may require:

• Subfloor replacement and new flooring installation
• Drywall patching or replacement and repainting
• Carpet installation

These restoration tasks are handled by separate contractors and add to the total timeline — typically 1-2 weeks for a standard restoration. Costs are often covered by insurance. See our guide on insurance coverage for biohazard cleanup.

Need a vetted biohazard cleanup specialist? Our directory connects families with licensed, insured professionals available 24/7. Call (855) 566-2405 for immediate help.