Often, crime scene cleaners are called to clean up after violent crimes, suicides, or accidents. They clean away the blood, bodily fluids, and other biological materials from space so they can be safely used by people again.
They also face emotional challenges, as they must deal with family members of the deceased and their feelings about their loss. This cannot be easy and take a toll on their mental health.
They Clean After Dead Bodies
Popular shows like Law and Order and CSI show that crime scene personnel and law enforcement officials work together to secure the area and collect evidence. But after the crime, the job of cleaning up remains to the victim’s friends and family.
So, what are crime scene cleaners called? These cleaners must be compassionate and understand the emotional pain of a loved one’s death. They also must be prepared for the smells and potential biohazards that can occur during a crime scene cleanup.
Cleaners must be skilled at handling hazardous materials and have specialized training in safely disposing of biohazardous waste. They must also follow specific legal requirements and are liable for fines of up to $2 million if they do not correctly remove and dispose of toxic materials or biohazardous waste.
They Clean After Animals
In addition to cleaning the remains of a dead body, crime scene cleaners are also tasked with decontaminating the site. This is because blood and other bodily fluids can cause infections when touched.
This is why crime scene cleaners must wear gloves and other PPE when working at a crime scene. They also need to wear face masks and respirators.
They also need to be able to work under unpredictable circumstances, as they may be called in at any time of day or night.
While this is a tough job, it can be rewarding. It’s also a job that requires compassion.
Compassionating skills are critical in this industry because you’ll be coming into contact with people who have experienced trauma. This can make it difficult to control your emotions, so it’s recommended that you speak to a therapist regularly or get a support group. This will help you manage your emotional health in the long run.
They Clean After Meth Labs
After a meth lab is discovered, there’s a big cleanup. That’s where crime-scene cleaners come in.
They can be called “secondary responders, ” arriving after the police and paramedics leave, ready to get to work. They clean up the glass, debris, blood, and other potentially biohazardous materials left behind after the incident.
The cleanup process starts with ventilation and cleaning the air ducts, ceilings, walls, and other hard surfaces. During the cleaning, HEPA filters are used to capture potentially harmful pathogens.
After meth labs are cleaned, they need to be inspected and tested by local law enforcement to make sure that the property is safe for use again. These procedures can be complicated and time-consuming, so hiring a reliable environmental remediation company is essential. These professionals are trained in decontaminating meth labs and returning them to a healthy state.
They Clean After Tear Gas
When the police need to use a chemical weapon to subdue suspects, tear gas is often one of the options they choose. This chemical irritates mucous membranes and can cause watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, pain, and even temporary blindness.
If a building has been contaminated with tear gas, it is essential to clean up the residue immediately. This is because tear gas can off-gas in a facility for months after it was used and can continue to irritate mucous membranes long after the area has been cleaned.
The cleanup process starts by determining what type of tear gas was used and how much residue is present. Then, a qualified biohazard cleaner will begin the decontamination procedure.
This process is done room by room, sealing off each room at a time and wiping down every surface with a special cleaning agent. The entire building should be cleaned thoroughly to ensure any residue is removed and the area is safe for anyone to re-enter.