1. A gentle first call
The call covers only what the crew needs to know: the address, whether the scene is released and who has access. Details are not required.
Portland, OR · Multnomah County
Who cleans up after a homicide in Portland? Not the police. Call (877) 812-4220 to get a cleanup team to restore the home, remove waste and treat lingering odor.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Homicide clean up is what comes after the investigation: removing every trace of blood and bodily fluids, hauling contaminated materials and making sure the air and surfaces are safe.
Need murder clean up services in Portland or nearby parts of Multnomah County? You get crews using EPA-registered disinfectants, protective gear and sealed containment to protect everyone involved. Call Portland Biohazard Cleanup Help.
About 63% of homes in Portland were built before 1980, and older carpet, subfloor and wood trim absorb fluids deeply. About 48% of households in Portland are renters, so many homicide scenes involve a landlord, a lease and a tenant's insurance.
A typical homicide cleanup job includes:
The call covers only what the crew needs to know: the address, whether the scene is released and who has access. Details are not required.
Crews place barriers and protective sheeting and bring in the supplies they need for containment.
Contaminated materials are removed, and the affected area is scrubbed, disinfected and treated for odor.
Odor is removed at the source, the air is filtered and each area is checked before the owner gets the space back.
Most homicide cleanup jobs in Portland, OR cost between $2,000 and $10,000, based on published cost guides.
Time since the event matters. Fluids that have dried and soaked in need more work than fresh ones, and odor can be harder to remove.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Smaller scene | $2,000 - $6,000 |
| Larger scene | $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Violent crime scene | $2,500 - $9,000 |
These ranges come from published cost guides (Crime scene cleanup cost guide from a biohazard cleanup company, BioCleaners Directory) and are not a quote for Portland. Price drivers include size of the scene, how deep fluids reached, number of rooms, waste disposal. For a real number, call (877) 812-4220.
Expect to supply a bill or receipt, itemized costs and an insurance declaration page or a statement of no insurance. Ask the cleanup crew what paperwork you get. There is no fee to apply, and no lawyer is required.
Cleanup can be done discreetly. Ask about unmarked vehicles and quiet work practices when you call. Crews do not discuss the job with others.
Not the police or the medical examiner. They investigate and release the scene. Cleanup is a separate job for professional biohazard crews, hired by the property owner, a family member or a landlord.
No, and it is not advised. Cleanup involves health risks and can be hard emotionally. Professional crews handle it so the family does not have to see or touch the affected area.
Many homeowners policies cover crime or death cleanup after the deductible, though some exclude certain cases. Renters policies often cover cleanup but not the building. Call your insurer before work starts and ask what applies.
Say what happened, when, and that the scene has been released. Ask what the policy covers and which documents are needed. Take photos if you can and keep every receipt.
One call starts the process, and you do not have to describe what happened.
Call (877) 812-4220