Unattended Death

After a death, nature begins the process of returning our physical being to its simplest form, hence the term "ashes to ashes". This process begins immediately and begins to show the characteristic signs of biological decomposition within as little as a day. Biological fluids begin to seep from the body. These fluids are loaded with proteins which are a food source for bacteria, insects and mold. As these fluids are exposed to the atmosphere, the ‘death’ odor is emitted to continue to attract additional bacteria and insects to accelerate the process. The aftermath of this process can overload the both visual and olfactory (nasal) senses. Additionally, the scene can be dangerous due to the bloodborne pathogens, bacteria and mold spores. Most people understand the risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and Hepatitis but other risks are associated with these scenes. Exposure to these scenes may result in flu-like illness or attacks on the respiratory system. These scenes are better left to professionals that specialize in blood and biological fluid recovery utilizing personal protective equipment and approved procedures.