Safety Gear When Cleaning Crime Scenes

The aftermath of a murder or other violent crimes isn’t always a pleasant scene. First responders and the police do not have a special unit dedicated to cleaning a crime scene. No doubt, some agencies, and departments partner with local professional crime scene cleaners so you may likely get referrals and recommendations from them. but the responsibility of cleaning a crime scene lies on the property owner or the family of the deceased. Crime scene cleaners are experts when it comes to handling this situation. 

Moreover, the home is one of the most vulnerable spots for an organized crime. Every year, thousands of violent crimes happen in the home, and some resulting in the death of the individual. If this happens, the onus of cleaning falls on the deceased family. However, if the crime happens in a rented apartment or business place, then it is the responsibility of the property owner to contact professional crime scene cleaners to clean and sanitize the area. If the violent crime took place on public property, then it is the responsibility of the local authorities or in other cases the state that takes care of the cleanup process. 

Professional crime scene cleaners will take a picture before and after the job is completed. The primary reason for doing this is for insurance purposes. They are also required to maintain up-to-date vaccinations against infections like Hepatitis. 

Using The Right Tools

It is not even ideal to leave a crime scene cleanup project to the hands of a novice. A crime scene is littered with several biohazardous contaminants that are harmful and negatively impact human health when handled carelessly. Bodily fluids, blood, and tissues are hazardous materials, hence it requires a different cleaning approach when compared to the traditional cleaning. Crime scene cleaners use special cleaning methods, high-quality equipment, and safe and legal disposal of generated waste from the crime scene. 

So what are the equipment commonly professional crime scene cleaners? These include.

Personal Protective Equipment: PPE, for short, is a must-have for everyone who wants to undertake a crime scene cleaning job. This includes a protective suit, chemical spill boots, filtered respirators, and disposable non-porous gloves. However, it is important to note that a lot of these are designed for one-time use. In other words, you can’t use them for another cleaning project, otherwise, you will put yourself at risk of contamination. After completing a crime scene cleaning task, be sure to properly dispose of the equipment in a special hazardous waste container. 

Biohazard Disposal Containers: This is one of the most important pieces of equipment of all. Crime scene cleaners have the recommended biohazard disposal cleaners. Such containers should have a tight, well-fitted lid for proper sealing. Biohazard disposal containers may include solid plastic containers or heavy-duty hazmat bags. 

Cleaning Supplies: These include sponges, soft cleaning cloths, buckets, and mops. All cleaning supplies must be disposed of immediately after use. 

Other relevant equipment include shovels, solvents, disinfectant solutions, box cutter or razor blades, ladders, and long reach cleaning brushes, among others. 

If you have a need for crime scene cleanup, be sure to contact local professional crime scene cleaners.