It is always interesting to see a case come back into the news for which our team at Bio SoCal completed the biohazard cleanup. For the news photo, New Channel 3 chose an image our Bio SoCal technicians cleaning up the blood patterns later discussed in the trial.

Quadruple murder in Palm Springs

Nearly four years ago, four people were found shot and killed in Palm Springs. Three were found inside a crashed car at Sunny Dunes and El Placer roads and the fourth was discovered lying in a street a few blocks away. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered a man hiding under a truck covered in blood and appearing intoxicated. Though first responders took him to the hospital for treatment, he was later recorded running away from the medical facility later in the night. He then prepared to flee the state via a bus to Florida after changing his appearance. Police arrested him at the bus stop and charged him with all four counts of murder. If convicted, the suspect could face the death penalty.

The second trial is in progress

The first trial in 2022 ended in a hung jury. The new trial began last fall and is still continuing. The prosecution brought in blood stain expert Craig Ogino to determine whether the suspect was in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the shootings. Specializing in high-energy blood splatter such as from a gunshot wound, Ogino used scientific methods and a blood-splattered coat found with the suspect to recreate the point of origin for each bullet fired. The outcome of this second trial is still unknown.

Blood stains tell a story

Whenever crimes are committed and blood is involved, investigators take special care to note exactly where blood is found. The location, amount of blood, the distance from a victim, and the shape of a blood splatter can all be later used to discern what happened and who is responsible for the crime. This science is called “bloodstain pattern analysis” and is often used in trials to convict or exonerate suspects. For example, if the direction of a gunshot wound is found to be from a different location than where the suspect was located, then it brings into serious question whether the suspect could have done it. In this situation, the blood stain expert said that based on the gunshot wounds, blood splatter, and the blood on the coat found with the suspect, that the suspect was in the backseat, the same place from which the gun was fired, and that no one else was there.

Bio SoCal only cleans after a scene is released

Because blood and other fluid stains can be critical to convicting the person who committed the crime, It is vital to the case that our work cleaning up all the biohazards begins only after investigators clear the scene and get the pictures, measurements, and data needed to later examine.

We understand that when a crime is convicted on your property, you want it cleaned up as soon as possible so you can move forward with taking care of your business and loved ones. However, because of the importance of any relevant evidence, investigators must first have all the time they need to gather information to later use in discerning what occurred. As soon as they are done, though, and have released the scene back to the property owner, we will be there to make sure all hazardous materials, including investigative chemicals, have been fully removed and the area truly clean. Once we are done, you can be confident safety has been restored and you are free to move about your property.

At Bio SoCal, we hope whoever brought these lives to an early end is convicted and that the victims’ families can know that, even though their loved ones are gone, justice will be served.

Bio SoCal is here for biohazard cleanup after roadway accidents throughout Palm Desert and the wider Southern California area.

Bio SoCal recently handled the accident cleanup in Palm Desert when a motorcycle collided with a vehicle at the intersection of Washington St. and Tucson Circle. As the motorcyclist was traveling down the roadway at a moderate rate of speed, a driver pulled into the intersection and struck the motorcyclist, ejecting him from his seat. Tragically, the motorcyclist died at the scene and the vehicle driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

As soon as first responders released the scene for cleanup, Bio SoCal was there to remove all blood and body fluids from the pavement and surrounding environment to protect the community. While the work is never easy and we are extremely conscious of the lives lost, we love helping protect the health of our community.

Drive Safety

While we don’t know exactly what happened in this accident, we want to make sure everyone is aware of other people on the roadways. Wherever you may live, please be careful while driving, carefully watching out for vehicles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, and together we can avoid accidents while safety getting to and from our destinations.

Motorcyclists and vehicles watch out for each other

From an automobile driver’s viewpoint, a motorcycle is not much bigger than a bicycle. While motorcycles certainly can maneuver in tighter spaces than a vehicle, it is more difficult to see them, especially in wet or foggy weather. When you are driving, be aware of all moving objects around you, not just the other cars. Keep an eye out for animals, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. It is also important to be aware that motorcycles only have about 4 square inches of contact with the pavement on each tire instead of the more generous contact of a car’s four tires. Thus, give them lots of space to stop and maneuver around any obstacles, particularly in cold weather.

Motorcyclists need to be aware that vehicle drivers and truck drivers won’t see them as quickly as they will see another car. Especially if you are maneuvering around traffic, be aware a driver may not see you turning or coming into their lane. Give yourself and the other drivers lots of space to make those quick decisions to avoid each other and protect all lives involved.

It is easy to get distracted while on the road. When you’re driving, remove as many of these distractions as you can. Do not use your cell phone while driving and keep your eyes on the road at all times. It only takes a split second of distraction to alter many lives forever. By everyone paying attention to what we’re doing on the roadways, we can save lives and make sure everyone gets home safe.

Bio SoCal is here to help

Bio SoCal is always here for biohazard cleanup after accidents on our Southern California roadways, day or night. If you need biohazard cleanup for any reason, give us a call and our owner will be happy to answer any questions you have as well as provide a free quote and consultation.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man killed in this tragedy.

Bio SoCal was called to a crime scene for a biohzard cleanup after a shooting in Coachella where a young man was shot multiple times.

In late June, while walking back to his car at 2 a.m., a 25-year-old man was shot multiple times by the 22-year-old suspect as reported by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. The perpetrator allegedly approached the victim and then shot him before fleeing the scene. The perpetrator was later arrested and charged with one felony account of attempted murder and is now awaiting his court case.

As a regularly trusted partner of first responders throughout Southern California, Bio SoCal was called to the scene to clean up the blood and other bodily fluids of the victim. Out of respect for the man shot and with the safety of the Coachella community in mind, we carefully removed all the blood and fluids from the parking lot and decontaminated the area so other people can walk there safely.

The victim is recovering from the multiple gunshots at a local hospital. Our thoughts are with the victim of this crime and we hope he is able to make a full recovery.

Bio SoCal is here to help

It seems we hear of gun violence and mass shootings more often these days. It is a terrible and painful occurrence for all communities effected and for the families who lose loved ones or who are left hoping their family member or friend survives the ordeal. While we do not have the power to prevent such occurrences, though we fervently wished we did, our team of biohazard cleanup technicians are dedicated to being here for all communities throughout Southern California, including Coachella, that experience gun violence.

With careful biohazard cleanup and compassionate decontamination, we are always available around the clock to handle all the blood cleanup and removal as well as other bodily fluids after such a crime occurs. We then carefully label all the soiled materials as biohazardous waste before legally transporting it to a medical waste facility, abiding by all local and federal rules and regulations. With us on the job, you can at least know no hazards remain in the area and you are free to grieve or help your loved one recover.

We use the latest biohazard cleaning technology

To make sure all affected areas are truly clean and safe, we use the latest biohazard cleaning techniques and technology available. Unlike wiping up a juice spill on a counter where you can simply use a paper towel, there are microscopic viruses and bacteria in blood that can carry diseases and infect other people. We therefore not only clean what is visible on the surface, but we clean those tiny amounts that may not be visible to the human eye. Meticulously working in every nook, cranny, and unseen layers of building materials, we sure make every particle is taken care of, fully removed, and the area is disinfected before allowing the public back in.

Call us today

If you are dealing with blood or bodily fluids in your home or on your property, our team at Bio SoCal is here to help you in whatever way we can. With a free quote and consultation, we are always here to clean up any biohazards and answer all your questions. We even work with your home insurance and can file a claim on your behalf. Our office in Palm Springs services all of Coachella Valley. Call us today.

What is Biofilm?

A biofilm is a hardened layer of germs and microorganisms stuck to a surface. Most people assume you can simply wipe up dirt off a surface and leave behind a clean environment but if a biofilm has formed, then extra scrubbing is needed.

Biofilms are actually found in all kinds of places – even in your own mouth! Over time, bacteria lands on a surface and starts multiplying. As other germs and microorganisms land nearby, this new living community forms a sticky, slimy substance to protect the community, bind it together, and keep it in place on whatever surface it is living on. Over time, these layers harden and can be difficult to remove. A biofilm especially likes forming in places with moisture nearby to sustain it.

Biofilms can be hard to clean

Without knowing what it was, you have already cleaned biofilms off from surfaces. Biofilms are the plaque on your teeth, that pink scum in your shower, sink, or toilet, the grime in your kitchen, and the slime on a slippery river rock. Over time, these layers of biofilm accumulate and are harder to clean the longer they are left to grow.

Regular weekly cleaning keeps biofilms around a home or business to a minimum. However, if a surface is not cleaned regularly, the biofilm layers harden, and greater effort must be expended to make sure the layers are removed and only a clean surface remains. A good example to illustrate this is the biofilm that forms on our teeth as plaque. The longer we wait between dental cleanings, the harder it is to remove plaque and the more damage it can do to the tooth surface underneath. The same is true for the damage that can occur to surfaces such as countertops and bathroom fixtures.

When cleaning a surface with a formed biofilm, you can’t simply wipe the area with a disinfectant. The sticky substance will protect the microorganisms underneath and the disinfectant will remain on top of the sticky substance. To truly clean the area, you have to scrub at the biofilm first to make sure it is fully removed then disinfect the area according to instructions on the bottle.

Difference between biohazard biofilm and regular dirt

Most biofilms that form on household surfaces are easy enough to clean for anyone with basic cleaning skills performing regular maintenance. While you don’t want them to stay around, they are relatively harmless to remove. With a strong cleaner, vigorous scrubbing, followed by a quality disinfectant applied correctly, biofilms can be kept from doing any lasting damage and will be easy to deal with.

In situations involving biohazards, however, our professional biohazard cleaners are there to take over for you. Even those with excellent cleaning skills should not attempt to handle any biohazardous substances such as blood, body fluids, or harmful chemicals. The bacteria and viruses making up the biofilm can be extremely dangerous without the proper protection and cleaning equipment. A surface that seems to be safe can have a large community of living organisms still hardened on a surface despite disinfection that are ready to infect the unsuspecting.

At Bio SoCal, we’ll make sure all biofilms have been removed and your property restored to safety by using the proper safety equipment and industrial cleaners. First, we sanitize the surface to protect ourselves before we scrub away the biofilm, then disinfect all surfaces.

Don’t risk cleaning up biofilms infected with biohazards on your own – rely on professionals who know how to do the job right and keep you safe.

Bio SoCal was on scene early one morning last week in Palm Springs to clean up biohazards. While using a crosswalk at 5:30 a.m., a 59-year-old man in a wheelchair was struck and tragically killed in the accident. Though the cause of the crash is unknown, alcohol or drugs were not a factor and the driver of the truck stayed and cooperated with authorities.

Vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents are never easy, especially when its 118 degrees outside and the pavement is 160-180 degrees. At such high heat, not only is it hard to clean the biohazards off the ground, but we also take extra care ourselves to not suffer from heat stroke. The personal protective equipment (PPE) we wear, while it serves as a vital barrier between us and biohazardous substances, is hot to wear and can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures if care is not taken.

Working in PPE During High Temperatures

To make sure every member of our team is protected and cared for in the record-breaking temperatures, we make sure to drink lots of water, have enough technicians on scene to work efficiently, and make sure the air conditioning in all our work vehicles is in good working order.

By taking good care of ourselves, we know we will be here to take care of you at a moment’s notice. With our wealth of experience and extensive knowledge on how to clean up blood, body fluids, and other biohazards throughout Palm Springs and Southern California, you always have someone with a ready solution to any problem you may be facing.

Avoiding Heat Stroke

With record breaking temperatures across the Palm Springs area, make sure you, too, are drinking lots of water and taking frequent breaks if you’re out in the heat. Wear loose fitting clothing and stay in air conditioning if possible. If you have older neighbors and friends, check on them to make sure they are doing okay or if they are experiencing signs of heatstroke. Symptoms can include:

• dizziness
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• fast breathing
• feeling sick
• cramps
• high temperature

Call 911 immediately if you experience these symptoms. Cooling shelters are available.

Bio SoCal Knows How to Navigate the High Temps in Palm Springs

Even in the high heat, Bio SoCal will be here as always to make sure our community is safe from harm. Whether you are experiencing the effects of an accident, unattended death, crime, or other event involving biohazards, we have the skills and tools to clean and disinfect the area so you can move forward in safety.
Our condolences to the gentleman’s family and friends.