Crime scene cleaning could be recommended for several different reasons. Even though the term “crime scene cleaning” implies that a crime has been committed, that’s not always the case. Crime scene cleaning, also known as biohazard remediation, is the process of cleaning and removing biohazardous waste from a site. That site could be the location of all types of incidents, including crime scenes, suicide scenes, unattended deaths, meth lab cleanups, or an industrial accident.

If you’re looking for crime scene cleanup in Palmdale, the following information provides some information that may be helpful.

Crime scene cleaning used to be exclusively the responsibility of family and friends

When a crime was committed and someone was injured or killed in the past, the crime scene had to be cleaned by family members or friends of the victim. This was an excruciating scenario that almost always overwhelmed loved ones. They were already dealing with the trauma of having lost a loved one to some sort of violence. Now they were responsible for cleaning up the site as well. This was a situation where trauma was compounded upon more trauma.

Today, the responsibility of crime scene cleaning still falls to the people who own the site where the crime took place, but they don’t have to clean up the crime scene themselves. Crime scene cleaning companies handle this difficult task so that friends and loved ones can focus on the emotional healing that they need to do after a traumatic incident.

Crime scene cleaning focuses on the removal of biohazardous waste.

Biohazardous waste contains pathogens, the organisms responsible for diseases in humans. From airborne pathogens like adenovirus and anthrax to blood-borne pathogens like malaria and hepatitis B, these organisms pose a major risk to anyone entering the space. In addition to cleaning out the crime scene, crime scene cleaners make sure to eradicate all pathogens in the space so that people can use the room safely once again. This distinction is what makes crime scene cleanup different from your regular house cleaning services.

Crime scene cleaning as an industry is not regulated, but its practices are regulated.

There isn’t a nationwide governing body for crime scene cleaning, but all of the activities that crime scene cleaning companies perform are regulated. California, New York, and Florida are the only states that require licensing and registration for crime scene cleanup companies. Crime scene cleaning companies follow the standards laid out by agencies like OSHA, the EPA, and NIOSH. Before you hire a crime scene cleaning company, you need to make sure that the company’s cleaners are properly trained in the methods of biohazardous waste collection, cleanup and disposal required by the state and by federal agencies. California crime scene accompanies must be registered with the Department of Health.

Cleaning begins after crime scenes are released

Crime scene cleaning begins once the agency investigating the crime releases the scene. The “agency” could be anything from the coroner’s office to an environmental agency. Crime scene cleaning must not begin until the scene has been released. The last thing you want is for cleaning to disturb much-needed evidence or data from the scene.

Crime scene cleaning company workers get hepatitis B vaccines.

Because the likelihood of contamination is high, there are certain protocols in place to protect crime scene cleaning workers. One of those protocols is to make sure that anyone working at a crime scene gets the hepatitis B vaccine. This is a requirement from OSHA, and it’s one of the reasons that it makes sense to have professional crime scene cleaners handle crime scene cleanup instead of the average person.

Crime scene cleaners have an extensive list of tools available to them.

Every crime scene is different. This means that the type of waste that you’ll find at every crime scene will be different. Crime scene cleaners have the tools and equipment necessary to handle any type of job they encounter.

They work with federally approved cleaners, disinfectants, and deodorizers that help cut through the toughest substances located at a crime site.

Fogger machines filled with deodorizers or cleaners allow crime scene cleaners to access every single part of a crime scene that wouldn’t be available via traditional methods. 

Cleaners also uses ATP fluorescent testing kits. These testing kits ensure that the site is completely sanitized once cleaning is done by measuring to make sure that, with no living or active pathogens remaining on any surfaces. When the kids register zero, that means that the site has reached hospital levels of sanitization. 

Dried blood is especially hard to get rid of, so crime scene cleaners use enzyme solvents to handle the job. Another type of body tissue that’s extremely hard to get rid of is brain matter. Technicians are trained to remove it using solvents or by bringing out the big guns like weighted hammers, saws, and other demolition tools. 

Insurance can often pay for crime scene cleaning.

Some people are worried about the cost of crime scene cleanup. If this is your situation, get in touch with your insurance company. Many residential and commercial policies cover at least part of if not all crime scene cleaning costs. If you’re dealing with a crime scene that came about as a result of a homicide, check with local or city agencies. There is often money set aside to help with cleaning costs for victims of violent crimes. If you’re unsure about where to begin with that, give us a ring and we can try and help.

Crime scene cleaning can be really difficult for everyone. The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. Give us a call at any time so that we can help you figure out how to move forward with this process.