Please note these are questions regarding Crime Scene Cleanup Services.
For questions about our Medical Waste Services visit our Medical Waste Services Pages.
Who pays for your service?
Our services are almost always covered by homeowners, commercial, and auto insurance policies. We can handle your claim from start to finish. In cases of criminal acts, the State of Texas has a Crime Victims' Compensation Program that will help cover the cost for these types of services. Please visit the Texas Attorney General's website for more information on this program.
Named perils policies usually only covers
fire, lightning, windstorms and hail, explosions, riots/civil
unrest, smoke damage, aircraft and vehicles, vandalism, theft,
falling objects, water damage, and snow weight. These policies are
not as common as typical homeowner's policies.
In the event that Bio-Ops, LLC. crime scene cleanup
services are not covered by named perils policies or
others,
Bio-Ops, LLC. will provide a quote directly to the property owner
and other payment options may be available.
How much do these services cost?
Unfortunately we can't give an accurate price without first evaluating the scene. Until we know exactly what is involved, we won't know our costs. The three biggest factors contributing to price include: how many technicians will be needed to complete the job, how much time will be required to complete the task, and how much biohazard disposal and equipment will be needed to properly and completely finish the process. Our prices are fair and reasonable based on industry standards pre-established in accordance with insurance companies nationwide. We will assist in making payment arrangements for anyone that has insufficient insurance coverage. Because we offer excellent service at a reasonable cost, we DO NOT require payment at the time of service. Our priority is returning the property to a safe and habitable area and to remove any signs of the tragic events that may have occurred.
What areas do you cover?
Our primary response area is the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, but our immediately available area is anywhere south of San Antonio. Arrangements can be made if we are required to travel further, distance will be the greatest factor determining our response time.
How can I prove that the property has been treated in accordance with EPA and OSHA regulations?
We provide a Certificate of
Treatment (or, certificate of disinfection),
complete with the Bio-Ops, LLC. company logo, that guarantees all
state and federal regulations have been met. This certificate of
disinfection provides the necessary documentation to prove that
adequate steps have been taken to secure the health and safety of
inhabitants, therefore maintaining a property’s value.
These certificates are often useful to landlords in the event that
the new tenant discovers which events unfolded prior to their
move-in. A Bio-Ops, LLC. Certificate of Treatment symbolizes the
fact that the property has been restored to its pre-incident,
pre-contamination condition.
Are there any laws that govern the manner in which a cleanup is executed?
Yes. OSHA (Title 29 CFR
1910.1030, 1910.134, 1910.1200), EPA (CFR Title 40 Vol 23 parts
262/263), and the Texas Administrative Code (Title 30, Part 1, Chapter
330, Sub-Chapter Y and Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 96) all establish compliance guidelines for
a decontamination procedure. Any decontamination procedure should be
referenced against these codes.
OSHA mandates require the proper training, equipment, and
vaccination of all persons performing Biorecovery remediation. EPA
regulations dictate the disposition of hazardous wastes and their
disposal.
Re-occurring carpet stains, lasting odor
problems, and risk of contracting one of the aforementioned
bloodborne diseases can occur. All of these issues will cause
trouble when you are trying to sell the property – especially if you
don’t have a certifiable Certificate of
Treatment which is typically issued after a biological
decontamination.
Often times regular carpet cleaning companies or restoration
companies will quote lower than a standard Bio-Ops, LLC. remediation
service. The property owner must insist upon the use of EPA
registered hospital grade disinfectants, the excavation of all
contaminants even to the lowest point of saturation, and ask for
proof of a secure property once the treatment is finished.
Can Bio-Ops, LLC. take care of odor problems?
Bio-Ops, LLC. utilizes ozone generator
technologies followed by a deodorizing treatment that kills the odor
problems and leaves a property smelling like new.
By utilizing ozone generators a stable output of ozone can be
generated in the environment. By the employment of ozone generators
on a property, the odor will be completely absent.
Following the removal of odors, it is good practice to lay down
industrial grade air fresheners. This is because the human mind
closely associates smell with memories. If a family reenters a
property fully cognizant of what previously happened without
smelling anything, it is possible that they could imagine an odor
problem which could trigger unnecessary psychological trauma. An
application of our deodorizers negates this risk.
What is Hepatitis B, and why is it so dangerous?
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the
hepatitis B virus, or (HBV). HBV infected blood is highly
concentrated with the virus, much more so than HIV/AIDS. This means
that any exposure incident concerning blood infected with the
hepatitis B virus will be exceedingly likely to cause infection.
Additionally, some studies suggest that HBV can live outside of the
body for up to two weeks. Most crime scene cleanup services will
respond the same day, which is well within the timeframe of danger.
Stress has a cumulative effect on the body, and a variety of people respond to such stress in a variety of ways. It is not uncommon for those affected to develop Critical Incident Stress Syndrome, Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, or varying degrees of lesser traumatic grief. It is important to remove yourself from a crime or trauma scene with regard to psychological well being as soon as what is possible. Psychological effects of trauma can be devastating.
How can Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, and G be safely remediated?
Through the proper application of hospital-grade and EPA-registered disinfectants by trained professionals, Hepatitis virus infected blood and body fluids can be effectively remediated.
Can I have my regular janitorial staff clean up after a biohazardous incident?
A janitorial staff that has acquired the proper training, equipment, and vaccinations may do so. A regular janitorial staff is not prepared for such a task, and it is likely that an employee exposure to pathogens may occur after instructing them to do so. To avoid any employee exposure, be sure to contact a professional biohazard remediation service.
Can I use regular cleaners to remove a biohazard?
Regular cleaners are NOT powerful enough to perform a biohazard cleanup with. Utilizing hospital grade disinfectants will ensure certifiably safe premises, with the proper application. Biohazard cleanup is a serious occupation, and requires the proper materials, protective equipment, and training.
Is crime scene cleanup anything like what I see on C.S.I.?
No. Crime Scene Investigation is a role filled by
law enforcement agencies. These investigative measured are conducted
in accordance with forensic science and research whereas
bio-recovery concerns the decontamination and restoration of scenes.
These scenes have been released by the authorities once all evidence
has been collected.
Some bio-recovery technicians have had brief appearances on shows
like C.S.I. and have been featured in many television documentaries,
however.