Crime scene cleanup isn’t for the faint of heart or stomach; the work requires special training and equipment. Select the best crime scene cleanup in Redding, CA.
Professional crime scene cleaners utilize various tools, such as scraping and cleaning materials, hospital-strength disinfectants and deodorizers, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as chemical spill suits, level A through D disposable gloves, and hazardous material disposal containers. They must also wear specific clothing that protects them during their work.
Hazardous Materials
Crime scene cleanup involves the removal and proper disposal of biohazard materials like blood, bodily fluids, tissue, and any debris left at a crime, accident, or unattended death scene. These must be adequately collected and disposed of as they could pose risks of contamination and disease transmission to anyone visiting in the future. Professional crime scene cleaners utilize specialized equipment and chemicals to effectively clean surfaces as well as disinfect items at these scenes.
Crime scene cleanup professionals take great care in disposing of hazardous materials like needles, pipes, and syringes safely in accordance with safety protocols and regulations to minimize injury risks during the cleanup of crime scenes that involve dangerous materials such as needles, pipes or syringes that pose potential injury risks to attendees if mishandled. Flammable substances like gasoline and accelerants may also be present at scenes involving arson or fire-related incidents; in such instances, they must adhere to specific protocols and regulations regarding removal and disposal processes when handling such substances properly. Crime scene cleaning experts take great care when handling and disposing of such substances safely, following these protocols and regulations while adhering strictly.
Professional crime scene cleaners use industrial-grade cleaners that are far more powerful than common household cleaners and may need to wear full protective biohazard suits and respirator masks in order to ensure their safety. Familiar crime scene cleaning chemicals include hydrogen peroxide for breaking down harmful bacteria and bleach with its active ingredient sodium hypochlorite for disinfecting surfaces while simultaneously deodorizing surfaces.
Crime scene cleaners require more than just cleaning chemicals for crime scene cleaning; they also require traditional cleaning supplies like mops, buckets, brushes, and scrapers, as well as unique sanitizing supplies like abrasive pads, wet wiping towels, and chemical-resistant wipes for sanitation. Furthermore, crime scene cleaners must have biohazard disposal containers available so as to store and dispose of potentially dangerous waste materials safely.
Chemicals
Forensic cleaning professionals use heavy-duty chemicals to disinfect, deodorize, and decontaminate crime scenes. Their arsenal includes hospital-grade cleaning solutions and biohazard cleanup chemicals capable of killing harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. All forensic cleaning chemicals come with their own Safety Data Sheet (SDS), outlining handling and disposal procedures in compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations.
In addition to blood and bodily fluids, forensic cleaners are frequently called out for hoarding situations and meth labs. Meth lab waste can be highly corrosive and toxic to handle, as well as potentially explosive or flammable chemicals that require special PPE for removal.
Depending on their situation, crews may require face masks and respirators for added protection from inhaling chemicals such as tear gas or fire extinguisher residue. In certain instances, they may need to remove tear gas or fire extinguisher residue by cleaning their equipment thoroughly after each use.
Crime scene cleanup companies serve a diverse client base, from families and property owners to law enforcement agencies and insurance companies. Crime scene cleaners may include veterans, emergency medical technicians, or law enforcement personnel familiar with foul odors and tragic scenes, which can quickly clear away debris while providing comforting support and compassion to families involved in an incident or crime.
Equipment
Crime scene cleaners use an array of equipment at their disposal. This includes safety gear and cleaning supplies that allow them to disinfect, deodorize effectively, and remediate crime scenes of all sizes. Their equipment includes chemical spill boots; nitrile gloves (which offer more puncture resistance and abrasion resistance than traditional latex); face masks fitted with filters (to protect from biohazard exposure); as well as various forms of protective clothing and apparel.
Crime scene cleaners use various chemicals to disinfect an affected area, from traditional cleaning solutions such as bleach and hydrogen peroxide to industrial-grade deodorizing agents that help reliquefy blood and other bodily fluids that have dried on surfaces, solvents to remove dried blood stains and body odor, fogger machines or ozone generators for effective deodorization of crime scenes, etc.
Crime scene cleanup workers require the mental fortitude to handle the stress and emotional trauma inherent in working in such an emotionally charged environment. Frequent exposure to violence, blood, or other traumatic events may result in compassion fatigue – which includes symptoms like physical exhaustion, burnout, increased irritability/sensitivity/insensitivity, and feelings of hopelessness or detachment. Crime scene cleaning companies recognize this risk and offer support and training services for employees as a preventative measure.
Safety
Crime scene cleanup involves numerous potentially hazardous substances and conditions that pose a significant health risk for cleaners, including blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases that could make those exposed sick. Furthermore, sharp hazards like needles discharged by medical devices or broken glass that could cause injuries may also present themselves as hazards at crime scenes; there may also be strong odors from decomposition processes and chemical residues present at crime scenes that make cleanup even more hazardous.
Professional crime scene cleaning crews take measures to safeguard themselves when working at crime scenes, such as wearing proper protective equipment (PPE), disposing of all hazardous material according to regulatory guidelines, and using effective disinfection equipment to disinfect all surfaces. Furthermore, they employ stringent protocols to avoid cross-contamination and the spread of viruses or diseases.
They use enzyme solutions to re-liquefy any blood or other fluids that have dried onto surfaces, disinfect all furniture, carpeting, walls, and floors in the area, and use chemicals to eliminate lingering odors.
Victims and families affected by violent crime, suicide, or accident often experience immense distress following these tragedies. Restoring homes or businesses to their original condition usually takes months, but with professional crime scene cleaners on board, this process may go much faster.
