What is an Unattended Death?

 

An unattended death occurs when a person dies and their body is not found for days, weeks, or even longer. Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy. Dealing with the unattended death of a loved one only adds to this challenge. Unattended deaths, while tragic, can pose health risks to those in the area. It is important that if you do happen to find a deceased person, that you know what to do. 

What to Do If You Find an Unattended Death 

Once you find the body, the first thing you should do is call the authorities. They will arrive and assist in removing it from the area . You can also expect a medical examiner or coroner on the scene to evaluate possible cause of death. If the medical examiner determines it to be a natural death, the body will then be released to the family. If the medical examiner suspects foul play or suicide, however, an autopsy will most likely be required.

Once the medical examiner, police officers, and investigators finish processing the scene, cleanup of the site can begin.

Unattended Death Cleaning — Don’t Do it Alone 

Cleaning the site of an unattended death is one of the most challenging cleanup situations one can face. As the natural process of decomposition occurs, bodily fluids and potentially harmful bacteria are released, which can negatively impact both personal health as well as the surrounding environment. Because of this, you should not attempt to clean an unattended death site without the help of a professional bioremediation company.

Aftermath Services: Unattended Death Cleanup Experts

A bioremediation company (also referred to as a crime scene cleanup or trauma cleanup company) will clean, disinfect, and deodorize properties that have been affected by violent crimes, suicides, biohazards and bodily fluid contamination. To prevent the spread of diseases and bacteria, bioremediation specialists wear personal protective equipment (PPE), follow OSHA-approved safety and disinfection procedures, and use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) fluorescence testing to ensure a site is fully remediated. 

Aftermath provides unattended death cleanup services to families and property managers across the country. Our expert technicians are available to help you 24/7 – call us today at  877-698-6169.

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Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/misc/hb_me.pdf
http://www.aftermath.com/contact-24-7-365/