Crime Scene Cleaners: What They Do and How They Help
When a crime is committed, the area where it took place becomes a crime scene. This can be a very dangerous place for anyone other than law enforcement officials and crime scene cleaners.
Crime scene cleaners are specially trained to deal with the aftermath of a crime, including removing any evidence that may be left behind. In this guide, we will discuss what crime scene cleaners do, and how they help keep our communities safe.
Need help now? Get a risk free estimate from one of our biohazard cleanup specialists near you.
What Does a Crime Scene Cleaner Do?
A crime scene cleaner is responsible for cleaning up after a crime has been committed. This can also be for suicide cleanup and the aftermath. This can include:
- Cleaning up blood - Crime scene cleaners are specially trained to deal with blood and other bodily fluids. They use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent themselves from coming into direct contact with any dangerous materials. This includes gloves, goggles, and face masks.
- Securing any evidence - It is important for crime scene cleaners to secure any evidence that may be left behind. This includes fingerprints, DNA, and anything else that may be used to identify the perpetrator of the crime.
- Sanitizing the area - Once all of the evidence has been secured, crime scene cleaners will then sanitize the area to prevent the spread of any diseases. This includes using bleach and other disinfectants to clean surfaces. This is especially important if there has been a lot of blood or other bodily fluids left behind.
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Crime Scene Cleaner?
There are many benefits to hiring a crime scene cleaner. Some of these benefits include:
Preventing the spread of diseases
One of the most important benefits of hiring a crime scene cleaner is that they can prevent the spread of diseases. This is especially important if there has been a lot of blood or other bodily fluids left behind.
Protecting your property value
If a crime takes place on your property, it can decrease the value of your property. Hiring a crime scene cleaner can help restore your property value by making it look new again.
Giving you peace of mind
When a crime is committed, it can be a very traumatic experience. Hiring a crime scene cleaner can give you peace of mind knowing that the area has been cleaned and sanitized. It can also save you the stress and trauma of having to tackle the cleaning yourself, which can be extremely physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing.
Safety
Crime scene cleaners are specially trained to deal with the aftermath of a crime. This includes securing any evidence that may be left behind.
They also use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent themselves from coming into contact with any dangerous materials.
Legal issues
If you do not hire a crime scene cleaner, you may be liable for any evidence that is left behind or lost. This includes fingerprints, DNA, and anything else that may be used to identify the perpetrator of the crime. Not only can this lead to difficulties for investigators who are trying to solve the case, this can also make it harder for attorneys to get a conviction. Worst case scenario, this can even lead to a wrongful conviction.
Saves time and money
Cleaning up a crime scene can be a very time-consuming and expensive process. Crime scene cleaners have the training and experience to do it quickly and efficiently. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
If you have been the victim of a crime, or if you know someone who has, it is important to contact a professional crime scene cleaner.
Process of Hiring a Crime Scene Cleaner
There are a few things you should keep in mind when hiring a crime scene cleaner.
- Contact local law enforcement agency - The first thing you should do is contact your local law enforcement agency. They will be able to give you the name and contact information of a few reputable companies. In some cases, local law enforcement agencies may even work with a select few companies that they trust to handle evidence pertaining to any of their cases. You’ll want to follow their recommendations when it comes to selecting which company to hire.
- Licensed and insured - It is important to find a company that is licensed and insured. This will protect you in the event that something goes wrong.
- References - You should also ask for references. This will allow you to speak to other people who have used the company's services.
- Schedule - Once you have found a reputable company, you should contact them and schedule an appointment.
How They Help Keep Our Communities Safe
Crime scene cleaners are an important part of our communities. They help keep our communities safe by cleaning up crime scenes, and removing potential health hazards. Without their services, our community would be at a greater risk for disease and illness.
Crime scene cleaners are specially trained to clean up blood and other bodily fluids, as well as any other potentially hazardous materials. They use special equipment and techniques to ensure that all health hazards are removed from the scene.
How Long Do Crime Scene Cleaners Take to Clean a Crime Scene?
The length of time it takes to clean a crime scene cleanup depends on the severity of the crime. If there is a lot of blood and gore, it will take longer to clean.
However, most crime scenes can be cleaned within 24 hours. This is why it is so important to hire a professional crime scene cleaner as soon as possible.
3 Interesting Facts About Professional Crime Scene Cleaners
Not everyone is cut out to be a crime scene cleaner. It takes a special type of person to deal with the aftermath of a crime. Here are three interesting facts about professional crime scene cleaners:
1. It takes a lot of training
Crime scene cleaners need to have a lot of training before they can do their job. This includes learning how to safely secure or dispose of evidence.
2. They are in high demand
Due to the increase in violent crimes, there is a high demand for crime scene cleaners.
3. They Carry Special Cleaning Supplies
Crime scene cleaners are permitted to carry special cleaning supplies that are not available to the general public. This includes:
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Biohazard disposal containers
- Disinfectant solutions and solvents
- Industrial-grade deodorizer
- Dismantling tools
- Protective suit
- Non-porous gloves
- Chemical-proof boots
The Importance of Hiring a Professional Crime Scene Cleaner
Crime scenes are one of the most difficult and traumatic places to be. They are often filled with blood, gore, and other biohazardous materials that can pose serious health risks. This is why hiring a professional cleaning company is the best option. A biohazard cleanup company can help.
A professional crime scene cleaner will have the proper training and equipment to safely and effectively clean a crime scene. They will also be able to provide emotional support to the family or friends of the victim.
Qualities of a Good Crime Scene Cleaner
If you are considering becoming a crime scene cleaner, there are a few qualities you will need to possess:
- Patience - Patience is key when dealing with the aftermath of a crime. There will be a lot of cleaning and disinfecting involved, and it’s important to take your time and be thorough, particularly when dealing with these kinds of waste.
- Detail-oriented - You need to be very detail-oriented in order to do a thorough job, as finding and securing potential evidence can sometimes spell the difference between a crime being solved, and the perpetrator walking free due to a lack of valid, uncontaminated evidence.
- Strong stomach - You will be dealing with some pretty gruesome things. It is important to have a strong stomach if you want to succeed in this field.
- Compassion - It is also important to be compassionate. This job can be very emotionally taxing. You need to be able to empathize with the people you are helping.
- Mental fortitude - Crime scene cleaners need to be mentally tough in order to deal with the emotional stress of the job.
What are the Dangers of Improper Crime Scene Cleanup?
If a crime scene is not cleaned up properly, there are a number of dangers that can arise. These include:
Disease and illness
If blood and other bodily fluids are not cleaned up properly, they can lead to the spread of disease and illness.
Emotional trauma
Seeing a loved one’s blood or body can be emotionally traumatizing. This is why it is so important to have a professional crime scene cleaner who can provide emotional support.
The destruction of evidence
Improper crime scene clean-up can also lead to the destruction of evidence. This is a major problem, as it can make it more difficult for investigators to solve crimes or for attorneys to get proper convictions.
It’s also possible that the destruction of evidence could lead to the wrong person being convicted of a crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Do crime scene cleanup company employees have to be licensed?
No, there is no state or federal licensing for crime scene cleaners. However, many crime scene cleanup companies will require their employees to have a certification from the American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA).
2
Do violent crimes require special crime scene cleanup services?
Yes, violent crime scenes often require special cleaning services. This is because there is usually a lot of blood and gore involved.
3
What do hazardous material removal workers do during a typical workday?
Hazardous material removal workers typically spend their day cleaning up hazardous materials, such as lead or asbestos. They may also be responsible for disposing of these materials properly.
4
When should I call a crime scene cleaner?
You should call a crime scene cleaner as soon as possible after the police have finished their investigation. This is to ensure that the scene is cleaned up properly, and to prevent any further damage from occurring. If you are having trouble deciding when to call for a cleanup service, you can always call your local law enforcement agency and ask if you are cleared to contact a crime scene cleanup company, and if they have any recommendations.
5
How much does it cost to hire a crime scene cleaner?
The cost of hiring a crime scene cleaner will vary depending on the size and severity of the mess. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $1000 for their services.
Crime scene cleaners are an important part of the justice system. They provide a vital service by cleaning and disinfecting crime scenes. This helps prevent the spread of diseases and prevents further trauma to the family and friends of the victim.
If you are considering becoming a crime scene cleaner, it is important to possess the qualities of patience, detail-orientation, a strong stomach, compassion, and mental fortitude.
Need help now? Get a risk free estimate from one of our biohazard cleanup specialists near you.