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Crime scenes are not just visually disturbing but also pose significant health risks due to biohazard contamination. Cleaning up such scenes requires a high level of expertise, specialized equipment, and proper safety protocols. This is where professional crime scene cleanup services come into play, ensuring that the affected area is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and restored to its previous state.
Let’s delve into the world of crime scene cleanup and understand why it’s a job best left to the experts!
Key Takeaways
- Crime scenes pose significant health risks due to biohazard contamination.
- Professional cleanup ensures thorough disinfection and restoration.
- Expert cleanup is needed for various crime scenes: biohazard, blood, decomposition, and more.
- Cleanup process: assessment, containment, biohazard removal, disinfection, odor control, and restoration.
- Cost varies based on contamination extent, area size, cleanup type, and additional services.
- DIY cleanup risks health, legal issues, and inadequate cleaning.
- Proper handling prevents infections, respiratory issues, and long-term health risks.
Crime Scenes that Require Expert Cleanup
Crime scenes can vary greatly in terms of the level of contamination and the type of cleanup required. Professional crime scene cleaners are equipped to handle a wide range of situations, each with its unique challenges.
Types of Crime Scenes Requiring Expert Cleanup:
Biohazard Cleanup
Biohazard Cleanup means handling the sanitation of hazardous materials like bloodborne deaths, unattended deaths, and infectious waste.
Blood cleanup
Blood cleanup is something you cannot take lightly. Not only can it cause serious infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, HIV, and more, but it can also permeate clothing, furniture, carpet, and flooring if cleanup is not done within minutes.
Crime scene cleanup
Crime scene cleanup means cleaning the areas where violent crimes, homicides, or suicides have occurred, and blood has spread around an area.
Crime cleaners clean the entire area where the crime has occurred after the police have completed their crime scene investigation and collected the needed samples.
Decomposition cleanup
When a person dies, carbon dioxide left in his/her body creates an acidic environment to make the body start digesting itself. Rigor mortis in the body causes the muscles to stiffen.
Further, when the body begins to fill with bloat and gases, it starts to smell. Cleaners address the aftermath of unattended deaths where the body has begun to decompose.
Fingerprint dust removal
Fingerprint dust removal refers to cleaning up powdery residues left behind by forensic teams during investigations.
Infection control
Areas where crime scene occurs contain human blood, which can cause deadly diseases like HIV/AIDs, Hepatitis B and C, and others. A professional crime cleanup team disinfects contaminated areas to prevent the spread of diseases.
Odor control
Blood and other biological matter are absorbed by flooring, fabric, and other structural elements. These pathogens create an unpleasant odor. Professional odor cleaners eliminate the persistent foul smells caused by decomposition and bodily fluids.
Suicide cleanup
Suicides may create a big mess that needs cleaning. Professional suicide scene cleaners understand the need for discretion during these times and provide thorough cleaning of scenes where suicides have occurred.
Tear gas remediation
Cleaning and neutralizing harmful chemical residues left behind by tear gas used by law enforcement.
How Crime Scene Cleanup Works?
The cleanup follows a structured process to eliminate biohazards and decontaminate the area. Professionals follow strict protocols to ensure complete remediation while adhering to local, state, and federal regulations.
Assessing crime scene
It starts with an in-depth analysis of the site, following OSHA regulations, to determine the extent of contamination.
It helps them create the most effective strategy to remove the biohazard and decontaminate the scene safely.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, including gloves, masks, and biohazard suits, while assessing the crime scene.
Scene control
It includes controlling the area from other parts of the structure.
When crime cleaners arrive, they cover the site with plastic sheeting to create a safe zone around the crime scene. This minimizes the spread of biohazards.
Biohazard removal
After controlling the crime scene, the cleaners start removing biohazards.
Biohazards mean all bodily fluids – tissue, blood, and other biological matter that can give rise to serious health issues.
Cleaners use enzyme solutions to disinfect blood and collect it in approved hazmat bags or specialized biohazard containers.
Cleaning and disinfection
The next step is decontaminating and deodorizing the site. Crime scene cleaners use industry-recommended cleaners and EPA-approved disinfectants.
The crime area and high-touch surfaces are then treated with deodorizing solutions, hospital-grade sanitizers, and special equipment like air scrubbers to kill bacteria and viruses.
Verification
The site is inspected to ensure no hazardous materials remain.
Testing and validation procedures confirm that the area meets safety standards.
The space is restored to a livable or workable condition.
How Much is Crime Scene Cleanup?
Crime scene cleanup cost depends on several factors. These are –
Extent of contamination – The more severe and extensive the contamination is, the higher the cost.
Type of Biohazard – Handling hazardous materials such as blood, bodily fluids, or chemical residues affects pricing.
Type of cleaning services required – Specialized services like tear gas remediation or decomposition cleanup may cost more.
Structural Damage – If floors, walls, or furniture are deeply affected, additional restoration may be needed.
On average, crime scene cleanup can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the extent of damage. Check with your service provider for the exact cost.
Why Hiring Professional Crime Cleaners is Crucial?
Handling the crime scene cleanup in a professional manner is compulsory. What do professional crime cleaners bring to the table?
- Professionals have the necessary training and expertise to handle biohazards safely.
- They have access to specialized industrial-grade cleaning equipment to ensure thorough crime scene cleanup.
- They comply with local and federal regulations for disposing of biohazardous waste.
Why shouldn’t you opt for the DIY cleanup method?
- Handling biohazard materials without proper expertise and training can result in serious health issues.
- Inadequate cleaning can leave behind hazardous and harmful contaminants.
- If you dispose of the biohazardous waste improperly, you may end up paying legal penalties.
Health implications of improper biohazard handling
- Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can lead to infection risk.
- Respiratory problems can be caused by the inhalation of harmful substances like tear gas residue.
- Prolonged exposure to biohazards can have long-term health consequences.
Having said that, you must rely on professional crime cleaners. Space City Sanitizers – understand the importance of professional sanitizing services and toughest cleanups and ensure that your environment stays safe.
Our team comes with expertise and tools to deliver results exceeding your expectations. Visit our site or call now for more information.
Final Thoughts
It is a crucial service that ensures the safety and well-being of individuals and communities. By hiring professional crime scene cleaners, you can rest assured that the affected area will be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and restored to a safe condition.
Remember, attempting to clean up a crime scene on your own can pose significant health risks and legal issues, so it’s always best to leave this job to the experts!
