Crime scenes are a traumatic sight for many people. They’re often accompanied by blood and other dangerous materials that can cause illness months or years later.
The job of crime scene cleaners is to remove these hazardous materials and restore a home or business to its normal state. It’s a highly specialized field and requires grit, determination, and attention to detail.
Table of Contents
Professionalism
When hiring a crime scene cleaner, you should expect someone who will treat the job professionally. Professionals don’t whine, gripe or roll their eyes; they show up on time to work and make every effort to keep up with the task.
A professional will also show respect for the victims of the crime and not dehumanize them by displaying their remains. The sight of blood and other evidence can be highly upsetting, and the emotional toll of a crime scene may be too much for some people.
In addition to professionally performing their duties, crime scene cleaners should be knowledgeable about their job. This includes learning about the different types of cleaning equipment and how to use them safely. Knowing how to communicate with clients and coworkers professionally is also essential. Good phone and email etiquette can help you project professionalism and maintain good customer relationships.
Safety
When you hire a crime scene cleaner, you are getting an experienced and professional team that will safely remove any biohazards that may be present at the scene. These professionals are trained to use specialized equipment and chemicals to sanitize and disinfect the area and remove and dispose of any hazardous waste.
The job requires dedication, professionalism, and sensitivity. These workers are exposed to traumatic situations daily and must stay focused to do their job well.
To avoid contaminating the scene, crime scene cleaners wear protective suits and respirators. They also utilize special cleaning equipment and containers to remove contaminated materials and transport them for disposal.
While having a degree to be a crime scene cleaner is optional, you should look into training programs and certifications that teach you about blood-borne pathogens, personal protective equipment, and biohazard handling. You’ll also want to learn about the health and safety regulations that govern the industry.
Disinfection
If you ever have to clean up a crime scene in your home or business, you know it can be daunting. Even a trace of blood can spread bacteria and viruses, so you need a professional to ensure everything is sanitized and disinfected before it’s returned to its original state.
Disinfection is killing or inactivating most pathogenic microorganisms (excluding bacterial spores). It kills germs that can cause diseases or infections and is usually achieved through heat, chemicals, ultraviolet light, or ultrasonic waves.
As a crime scene cleaner, you’ll need to be able to separate your emotions from the situation at hand, and it’s a good idea to get counseling if you’re not emotionally stable. Empaths should also avoid this job because it can be traumatic.
Cleaning Equipment
Crime scene cleaners wear hazmat suits, personal protective equipment (PPE), and respirators to keep them safe while they work. They also use potent chemicals and tools to disinfect a scene and sanitize a home or business after a violent event.
A crime scene cleaner’s job requires hard work, physical fitness, and attention to detail. They also need to be compassionate to the people they clean for and understand that the aftermath of a traumatic event can be stressful for those who live or work there.
While a clean-up job isn’t always fun, it can be gratifying and provide great satisfaction when you see a client return to a property after a traumatic experience with a thoroughly cleaned and sanitized space. Possessing compassion is a soft skill that all crime scene cleaning companies look for.