Crime scene cleanup is not for the faint of heart or stomach. However, preserving evidence and ensuring all areas have been disinfected to the best possible standard is essential. The best crime scene cleaners have compassion, a high attention to detail, and integrity. Restoration Companies understand the importance of respecting their clients and their families.
A crime scene can be contaminated with blood, bodily fluids and other pathogens that pose significant health risks. These materials must be properly disposed of to prevent the spread of disease. Crime scene cleaners use hospital-grade disinfecting chemicals to thoroughly clean the scene and make it safe for reentry. They also dispose of syringes, medical waste and any other items that are hazardous to human health. Crime scene cleanup professionals are trained to follow strict health and safety protocols and follow the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Professional crime scene cleaners wear personal protective equipment, including liquid-impermeable hazmat suits and respirators to minimize their exposure to dangerous substances. They also take care to not disturb or interrupt the criminal investigation and allow law enforcement officials to complete their work without interruption. Crime scene cleaners also understand the emotional and physical impact of traumatic events and are trained to help survivors through this difficult time.
It is important for crime scene cleanup technicians to understand the level of contamination that they are dealing with when they begin a job. For example, they may need to decontaminate a house that was robbed by armed robbers and the victim was shot dead. In this situation, the armed robbers may have left behind blood-soaked clothes that need to be cleaned and the victim’s body, which can contain harmful bacteria and viruses.
The most common types of biohazards that crime scene cleaners deal with are hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases. These are usually associated with instances of suicide, murder and other homicides as well as unattended death. Crime scene cleaners need to have a strong stomach and know how to properly dispose of these dangerous materials.
It is essential for crime scene cleaners to use a hospital-grade disinfectant that can kill the most deadly bacteria and viruses. They will also use a high-powered scrubber to remove any blood, bodily fluids and other contaminants from the surface of the room or area. They will test the area for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is an energy molecule that every living organism has, to ensure the scene is fully decontaminated. Steri-Clean technicians only mark a crime scene as clean and safe when they can provide proof that the ATP levels have significantly dropped.
Stains
When blood or other organic material is present at a crime scene, it will likely stain the surrounding materials and surfaces. Crime scene cleaners use specialized cleaning techniques to remove these stains and minimize their impact. In addition, they are often responsible for restoring affected materials and objects, as well as disinfecting the area. They may also take before-and-after photos of the crime scene for insurance claims purposes.
If you’ve spent any time listening to true crime podcasts or watching Investigation Discovery, then you know that the scene of a murder can be incredibly messy. After police officers, forensic investigators and paramedics have finished their work, the property owner is responsible for everything that remains at the crime scene. For this reason, it’s important to hire crime scene clean up professionals as soon as possible after a crime is committed.
The longer a crime scene is left unattended, the more damage it can do to carpets, walls and furniture. It is also more difficult to get rid of stains and contamination after it has been sitting for an extended period of time. Professional crime scene cleaners are trained to work as quickly and thoroughly as possible, while ensuring strict health and safety procedures.
Stains can be difficult to remove because they absorb into fabrics and porous materials. Crime scene cleaners use special chemicals to break down the proteins in the blood and disinfect the area. They also use solvents to soften hardened material like brain matter, which can have a cement-like consistency when it dries.
Crime scene cleaning is a delicate and stressful job that requires professional training. Even if you’ve watched a lot of true crime shows or listen to many crime-related podcasts, it is never wise to attempt a crime scene cleanup on your own. Not only can it be extremely traumatizing, but it can also put you and your family at risk. Not to mention, if you’re not properly trained, you could end up in serious legal trouble.
Contamination
Biological materials like blood and bodily fluids can cause permanent damage to items, including carpet and walls. They also pose health risks if they are not cleaned up promptly. Crime scene cleaners use specialized cleaning products and equipment to remove any traces of biological contamination from a scene. They may also restore damaged materials and deodorize the area. Crime scene cleaners are also responsible for ensuring that all items removed from the crime site are properly disposed of.
Crime scene cleanup requires a strong stomach and training in how to deal with traumatic situations. Often, cleaners have to interact with grieving family members or business owners concerned about negative publicity. They must be able to explain the process of cleaning up a crime or trauma scene in a way that is sensitive and compassionate. Crime scene cleaners must also be trained to handle hazardous waste, including medical waste and chemical residues from meth labs.
In addition to being able to work with biological materials, crime scene cleaners must be physically fit. The job can involve long periods of time on your hands and knees scrubbing stains or pulling up carpet or floorboards. In addition, crime scene cleaners must have a reliable vehicle to transport waste to appropriate disposal sites. Most importantly, they must be able to maintain up-to-date vaccination against harmful infections like Hepatitis B.
Crime and trauma scenes can be contaminated with many different types of pathogens, which pose a significant risk of infection or disease for anyone who comes into contact with them. These pathogens can linger in the air for days or weeks, even after law enforcement officials have processed the scene for evidence. Crime scene cleanup professionals are trained to detect and clean up any traces of blood, body fluids, and other biological materials.
Although violent crimes are on the decline, these scenes still occur frequently in homes and businesses throughout the country. When a crime or traumatic event occurs on your property, it is crucial that you call professional crime scene clean up services as soon as possible to minimize damage and contamination.
Remediation
A crime scene is the scene of a heinous act, such as murder. There is a lot that goes into the preparation and investigation of the crime, but what comes afterward rarely gets much attention. That includes the hard-working people who clean up the scene after the police and investigators have left. They are called crime scene cleaners, and they are the professionals who remove all traces of what happened and return the area to its pre-incident state.
Crime scene cleanup is a dangerous, grueling job for professionals. In addition to the blood, guts and body parts that they are required to deal with, they must cope with the emotional impact of the work. That is why it’s not a position for the faint of heart, and is usually reserved for those with special training and a strong stomach.
The first thing that a crime scene cleaner does is remove all the potentially pathogenic materials from the scene, such as tissues and blood. This is known as remediation and is done in accordance with industry guidelines. This process can take several hours to a couple of days, depending on the size and scope of the crime scene. Typically, the crime scene cleaners use a camera to record before-and-after photos for insurance purposes, but they also wear protective gear, such as liquid-impermeable hazmat suits, boots and full face respirators.
In some cases, the crime scene cleaners must also repair or replace contaminated materials such as carpeting and walls. This is especially important if a crime was committed in a living or working space, such as a home or office. In addition to being done for insurance reasons, it’s often necessary in order to prevent any lingering biohazards from infecting current or future occupants of the space.
While the crime scene cleaning profession has only been featured sporadically in popular culture and media, it’s still an important one. In addition to the detectives, investigators and reconstructionists who are responsible for processing a crime scene, these hard-working professionals are the ones who ensure that the site is cleaned properly so that it’s safe for future occupants.