A crime scene is any space where a criminal offense has been committed. When a crime occurs, it is natural to be in a state of panic. The crime, loss, and trauma can be overwhelming. 

Crime scene cleanup or trauma restoration refers to the removal of blood, bodily fluids, and other hazardous material from a crime scene. Professional crime scene cleaners handle varying degrees of crime-involved cleaning. It can range from battery and burglary, to more tragic events like homicides, suicides, and unattended deaths. Professional services also work to restore areas affected by tear gas.

In the past, crime scene cleanup, especially involving the death of a loved one, was solely handled by the family. It is emotionally, physically, and mentally challenging to do this. The family often lacks the know-how and equipment to handle the cleanup thoroughly. For this reason, they risk contracting an illness from contact with biohazards. 

A biohazard is a biological substance that poses a risk to human health and the environment. Biohazards such as blood and other bodily fluids remain at crime scenes. It’s critical to avoid these biohazards, as contact with them can lead to disease and, in extreme cases, death.

It is important to know that law enforcement personnel are not obliged to perform and typically will not handle crime scene cleanup. 

Crime scene cleaners are trained professionals who specialize in cleaning and restoring a crime scene. Professional cleaners can safely remove blood, bodily fluids, and other biohazardous substances. Also, they do a more thorough job because they aren’t emotionally attached to the deceased. Here are a few reasons professional crime scene cleaners are best suited for this role:

To Avoid Disrupting Investigation

After discovery of a crime scene, law enforcement officials will frequent the area to investigate the crime. Investigation is crucial to bringing justice to the victim and their family, so the last thing you want to do is interfere. Whoever cleans the crime scene must work in a way that doesn’t disrupt this process. Family members won’t know how to conduct cleanup in this way. Professional cleaners cooperate with investigators and do their jobs with minimal or no interference.

To Avoid Tampering with Forensics

Forensics are a critical part in any investigation. They can help convict a culprit or absolve an innocent person from suspicion. At a crime scene, there is a wealth of useful information. Fingerprints, hair, and nail clippings are examples of valuable pieces of evidence that may exist at the scene. These can shed more light on the crime. 

Professional cleaners handle evidence delicately to prevent it from being compromised. Moreover, professional crime scene cleaners wear protective gear to further maintain evidence.

To Avoid Contact with Biohazards

Crime scenes can include brain matter, blood, feces and other bodily fluids. Sometimes, especially in an unattended death, these substances remain for days or weeks. 

An unattended death refers to a death where the body remains undiscovered for a long time. Unattended deaths may span days, weeks, or even months before discovery.

When an untrained or ill-equipped individual touches or inhales these substances, they have a high risk of illness. 

Professional cleaners wear personal protection equipment (PPE) that keep them safe from biohazards. Professionals have training to carry these substances safely.

To Ensure Thorough Cleaning

When cleaning a crime scene, seeing is not always believing. More often than not, what you cannot see is far worse than what you can. Carpets and rugs may look clean, but fluids can crystallize beneath them. Or the floor may appear clean, but fluids can seep into the cracks in tiles. 

Professional cleaners often have to remove wallpaper, tiles, and carpets to get rid of seepage or crystallization. They do not hesitate to use aggressive hospital-grade disinfectants to kill microbial activity. Everyday people don’t typically have the training to safely handle such deep cleaning.

To Ensure the Use of Proper Equipment

To guarantee thoroughness and safety, professional crime scene cleaners use special equipment that is not readily available for non-professionals. One of such equipment is the personal protection equipment (PPE). It comprises:

• A single-use suit
• Chemical-spill boots
• Gloves
• Safety harnesses
• Hard hats

The components of a standard PPE protect the wearer from biohazardous exposure. Since it is largely made from plastic, it is very easy to clean.

Professional cleaning also involves high-grade tools like industrial-strength deodorizers, biohazard waste containers, air and surface decontamination equipment, chemical treatment tanks, and more. These ensure that biohazards are removed as safely as possible.

Professional Cleaning Company for Crime Scene Cleanup

It is never a good idea to handle crime scene cleanup on your own. Aside from lack of training or the proper equipment, the emotional side of professional cleaning can have jarring effects. Professional crime scene cleaners have the training to restore the scene safely and respectfully.

If you have suffered a recent loss and find yourself wondering how to clean up the scene, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ONEighty solutions. We are a licensed trauma cleanup provider. Call us today at (678) 729-9311.