Crime Scene Cleanup Cleaning Services

What is crime scene cleanup?

Crime scene cleanup crews are formally called CTS Decon crews (crime and trauma scene decontamination). They clear away dangerous material at the biologically contaminated scene of a violent death such as a homicide, suicide, or accident. They also specialize in cleaning up chemically contaminated spaces and buildings. The most prevalent of these circumstances is former methamphetamine-producing laboratories, or anthrax-exposure sites.

Cleaners follow the highest standards of disinfection procedures. They adhere strictly to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standards (guides for handling biohazardous waste).

Before beginning work, the crime scene cleanup company will evaluate the extent of the damage and offer a written proposal.

The objective of crime scene cleanup is to restore a space, property, or building to its pre-incident state. This entails the removal of any sign of what happened, and the cleaning up of any detectable or possible biohazards. Federal regulation stipulates that all bodily fluids are biohazards. That means any blood or tissue on the crime scene is a potential source of infection for people living or working in the space.

Crime scene cleanup crews—CTS Decon—are highly trained in their field—many come from elite military units like the marines. Their extensive mastery of their craft warns them that small signs of violence could mean larger biohazards. For example, a crime scene cleanup worker would suspect that a small spot of blood on a carpet means there’s a 2-foot-diameter bloodstain on the floorboards beneath.

These specialized CTS Decon crews already have all the necessary permits to transport and dispose of biohazardous wastes. They also have the training and possess the willingness to deal with such unsavory situations.

Different scenes require different approaches. Some not only require stains and tissue to be removed, but require structural alterations. In the case of violent deaths, stains on walls may require the crime scene cleaners to remove the drywall, hang a new wall, and repaint. In the case of methamphetamine labs, many structural elements must be removed and replaced because of the pervasive impact of the poisons used in the production of street-level methamphetamines. These harmful chemicals and drugs can be hidden inside wall compartments, infecting the building.

Cleaners follow the highest standards of disinfection procedures. They adhere strictly to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standards (guides for handling biohazardous waste).

But when does the crime scene cleanup crew arrive? Only after the police, firefighters, paramedics, and coroners have come and gone. That’s when it’s time for the tough job of cleaning the site and restoring it and its structure to normalcy.

Crime scene cleaners have a number of tools available to them to help clean up to the last detail. The ozone machine removes offensive odors, such as miasma, a non-dangerous but highly offensive odor resulting from blood and tissue loss (commonly known as the “death odor”). Disinfectants and special solvents kill bacteria and viruses. The crews have a chemical treatment tank available to them. And they also employ special services like a truck-mounted steam-injector that melts dried brain matter.

Crime scene cleanup crews approach every biohazard as if it contains pathogens like HIV, hepatitis, herpes, E. Coli, and hantavirus.

With methamphetamine labs, the major risks come from the exposure to poisons. They stay in the air and coat structural surfaces. These are from the poisons used to produce methamphetamine drugs.

Who should hire a crime scene cleanup company?

Anybody without the stomach strength or the ability to disassociate from such circumstances should hire a crime scene cleanup company.

Family members of the deceased will hire a CTS Decon crew to help restore their living environment to a normal, livable state.

Police forces and crime scene investigator units will hire crime scene cleanup crews after they have conducted their investigations.

Homeowners and landlords, who understandably may not want to try to handle such a difficult task and obtain all the necessary permits, will want to hire a crime scene cleanup crew to restore their properties to functioning order.

What are the benefits and drawbacks to employing crime scene cleanup?

Some people may be uncomfortable with how cleanup crews remain detached from the disposal of human remains. Especially if the deceased person is a family member.

The services crime scene cleaners provide can cost between $1000 and $3000. Others charge up to $600 per hour.

Then again, these services are often covered by insurance—auto, homeowner, and business insurance. And the cleanup service provider can handle all the insurance paperwork for you.

In the case of homicide, the federal Crime Victims Reparation agency pays the bill for the entire cleaning process of the incident site.

And ask about crime scene cleanup crews’ possible 24-hour services.

The bottom line with crime scene cleanup.

When unfortunate events hit, local and federal law enforcement have to do their jobs. But the aftermath of everything doesn’t have to be a traumatic chore. Crime scene cleanup companies are trained, willing, and have all the right permits to deal with hazardous crime sites.