Crime Scene Cleaners: What You Need To Know

Professional crime scene cleaners are often needed in special cases such as in the aftermath of a violent crime, car accident or traumatic injury. Due to the potential health risks involved in cleaning up these places, regular cleaners without the appropriate training and experience should avoid these specialised tasks.

This article explores what a crime scene cleaner does, as well as the various reasons behind why a regular cleaner or an untrained person shouldn’t attempt to clean up a crime scene on their own.

What Is Crime Scene Cleaning?

Crime scene cleaning (also known as forensic cleaning) aims to safely restore a property back to a safe and hygienic condition. For a crime scene cleaner, this task involves disinfecting and sanitising contaminated areas, removing stains and odours as well as cleaning and safely disposing of any biohazardous materials.

Biohazards such as blood, bodily fluids and sharps or needle waste pose a potential danger to human health as exposure to these dangers can lead to the spread of disease or other life-threatening illnesses.

What Does A Crime Scene Cleaner Do? 

Crime scene cleaners undergo rigorous training and certifications in order to correctly and safely remediate locations where infectious biohazards are present. They are best placed to deal with emotionally difficult cleaning situations as opposed to family members having to undertake the traumatic task themselves.

Crime scene cleaners are experts who know and understand the process of dealing with a crime or trauma scene. They are specially trained to carefully handle themselves in a dangerous environment and unlike ordinary cleaners, use additional equipment to carry out their tasks including:

• Biohazard disposal containers/bags – for the safe disposal of biohazard materials such as blood, tissue and other infectious pathogens
• Disposable cleaning supplies – buckets, mops, sponges and cleaning cloths
• Disposable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – hazmat suits, respirator masks, gloves
• Disinfecting chemicals – such as bleach and other proprietary chemicals
• Ladders – for accessing walls and ceilings
• Deodorizers – for use in a fogger machine to eliminate foul odours
• Solvents – to disinfect and break up dried blood
• Shovels – to remove contaminated objects or furnishings from the location

Where Do You Find A Crime Scene Cleaner?

The police may be able to assist with recommending some local crime scene cleaning companies that they’ve worked with in the past. Alternatively, a quick Google search under “crime scene cleaner” or “forensic cleaner” will provide you with some alternative options in your area.

When Is DIY Not An Option?

Any time there’s been a crime, accident or traumatic event where biohazard materials are present onsite is the right time to call a professional crime scene cleaner.

Not only does a forensic cleaner have to remediate a location so it is safe and habitable once again, but they may also have to remove and dispose of contaminated furniture, bedding, floorings and any other items that cannot be treated and cleaned.

Calling a professional forensic cleaner is the safest way to clean up biohazard waste at a crime scene and ensure that the space is safe once more.

What Does A Crime Scene Cleaning Service Include?  

Crime scene cleaners offer a range of services. Unlike regular cleaning tasks, crime scene cleaners offer a more specialised service that involves the careful handling and disposal of biohazardous materials such as blood, bodily fluids and other potentially dangerous pathogens.

Onsite, professional cleaners are exposed to all sorts of scenarios with no two crime scene locations ever being the same. Some examples of the tasks forensic cleaners are faced with on a daily basis include:

• Blood cleanups and decontamination
• Biohazard removal and disposal
• Cleaning up bodily fluids
• Unattended death scene cleaning
• Meth lab clean up/remediation
• Hypodermic needles and sharps removal
• Fingerprint dust removal once a forensic investigation has concluded

Looking For A Local Crime Scene Cleaner?

If you or your family are in need of specialist crime scene cleaning services, reach out to the team at National Trauma (NTCSC).

Trusted by Australians nationwide, we’ve been in the professional cleaning business for over 30 years. When it comes to trauma and crime scene cleaning, we’ve built ourselves a solid reputation and pride ourselves on our quality service and competitive prices.

Some great reasons to work with us include:

• 24/7 Emergency availability – we are always available to help when you need us the most.
• Speedy dispatch – our team are on call 24/7 and can quickly be at your doorstep.
• Certified & experienced – our team have the experience, training and necessary certifications to provide a leading crime scene cleaning service.
• Nationwide service – our service is available no matter where you’re located in Australia.
• Caring & compassionate – we understand that this is a difficult and challenging time for our customers and are here to help in any way we can.

Call NTCSC on 0488 007 675 to discuss your crime scene cleaning needs. We offer obligation-free quotes on any of our specialist cleaning services and can be at your doorstep ready to assist anytime – 24/7 day or night.