When people think of Redondo Beach, California, they think of a beautiful coastal town famous for its stunning Esplanade and its relaxed resort town feel. They’re probably not thinking of crime scene cleanup, but it does happen here. If you need to have crime scene cleaning done, working with a crime scene cleaning company that knows exactly what it’s doing can make all the difference in the final outcome.
Crime scene cleaning is a very specific type of cleaning that focuses more on the techniques used to do that cleaning versus the types of scenes that it’s used at. If you’re new to the crime scene cleaning process and have a lot of questions, following are some key facts to know about the industry and process.
The people who own the site where the crime took place are responsible for cleanup.
Many people are shocked to learn that if a crime happens at their business or residence, they are responsible for cleanup. Most automatically assume that law enforcement is responsible for handling everything relating to a crime, including cleanup. Some people actually call the city to find out which organization will be cleaning up the space. The reality is that whoever owns the property is in charge of cleanup.
Some people are unprepared for how much crime scene cleaning may cost them. They should reach out to their insurance companies since many commercial and residential insurance policies cover crime scene cleaning. There are some circumstances where people may receive assistance with funding for crime scene cleaning. If you’re wondering about crime scene cleaning costs, give us a call so that we can help you figure out your options.
Crime scenes are not the only types of sites crime scene cleaners clean.
It’s understandable that when most people hear the term “crime scene cleanup”, they assume it only refers to crime scenes. In fact, crime scene cleanup is also known as trauma scene cleanup, or biohazard remediation. In these cases, a crime may not have taken place, but the specific cleaning techniques used at crime scenes are needed.
The primary goal of crime scene cleaning is to rid a site of biohazardous waste. Biohazardous waste contains pathogens, the viruses and bacteria that cause diseases in humans. If these pathogens are not cleared away from the site, the potential for the spread of disease is really high.
Crime scene cleanup can only start after any investigations are complete.
No matter how intense the crime scene is, it can’t be cleaned until the agency in charge of investigating the site has completed its work. This could be anything from a law enforcement agency in charge of a crime scene to an industrial agency overseeing the site of an accident. If you start cleaning the site before the investigation is done, you could be disrupting key evidence and information needed by the authorities.
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard determines the way a crime scene should be cleaned.
OSHA has listed out guidelines for cleaning up biohazardous waste with its Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. This standard states that any company involved in blood cleanup or in the cleanup of other types of biohazardous or infectious waste must make sure their employees are trained to remain safe while they’re working in order to prevent infections.
Blood is one of the most dangerous substances at a crime scene.
Blood contains bloodborne pathogens that cause some of the most dangerous diseases known to man. Simply touching the blood at a crime scene could expose you to serious risk. What many people don’t realize is that the tiniest spot of blood can cause an extremely serious illness. It’s absolutely imperative that someone who knows how to get rid of the blood safely is in charge of cleanup. At a crime scene, blood can actually sleep into floorboards and carpets, causing serious risk if they’re not cleaned thoroughly. Specialized cleanup crews know how to safely remove every spot of blood so that the scenes are safe for use again. This is one of the main reasons that the average citizen shouldn’t attempt to clean up crime scenes themselves.
Crime scene cleaners have special machines to get rid of odors.
One of the worst aspects of many crime scenes is the odor left behind by things like chemicals, decomposition, and other types of disintegrating matter. Usually, crime scene cleaners will use OSHA and EPA-approved deodorizers to get rid of the smells. In some cases, however, those deodorizers are not enough. In those situations, crime scene cleaners use tools like ozone generators or hydroxyl generator machines. These machines shoot hydroxyl radicals or ozone gasses into affected rooms. Once inside, those elements target the tiniest microorganisms that are responsible for the smells. The generators will be left inside of the room until the smell has been obliterated.
Crime scene cleaners have access to special tools that the average person does not.
One of the things that helps crime scene cleaners clean sites so well is the fact that they have access to tools and supplies that the average person doesn’t. They use tools like indicators that can detect even the tiniest bit of bodily fluid at a site. Those indicators are similar to hydrogen peroxide but much more powerful. When the chemical comes into contact with body fluids, it gives off an extremely bright white color, alerting the cleaner.
At sites where brain matter is found, cleaners used special solvents like special enzyme cleaners that soften the matter enough to allow it to be removed. One key fact about brain matter is that it dries to a consistency as hard as cement, making it difficult to dislodge.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Reach out to us if you need to find a trusted company that can help you with crime scene cleanup.