It is important to have an overview of what a crime scene cleaner does. Crime scene cleaners decontaminate and clean up after a crime has occurred. The task of cleaning a crime scene is a bit complicated because it involves blood. Crime scene cleaners protect both themselves and any evidence they find during the remediation process. This career is very challenging. However, becoming a professional crime scene cleaner is possible.
There are some basic skills that are required for the job. It is important for a crime scene cleaner to pay attention to detail while in the crime scene. A crime scene cleaner may come in contact with some emotionally and physically upsetting materials. In such situations, high tolerance and thoroughness are essential. These are the basic skills of a potential crime scene cleaner.
Other skills that are required to become a professional crime scene cleaner is to be conversant with the safety regulations and the completion of a professional training program. The regulations are in place to protect the safety of crime scene cleaners and their clients. Additionally, adherence to the regulations makes it easier to remove dangerous materials from the site.
Completion of a professional training program is required to learn about specific cleaning techniques and safety. It also helps to enlighten prospective crime scene cleaners about the modern cleaning equipment and agents. Soap and water is not enough to thoroughly clean a crime scene especially when it involves blood spills. There are special cleaning agents designed for such jobs. This article will outline four major steps you can take to become a professional crime scene cleaner.
Step 1: Complete Biorecovery Technician Training
The bio-recovery technician training courses provide students with bloodborne pathogen training. This training is very important because crime scene cleaners are often exposed to blood and bloodborne pathogens. The courses teach students the proper procedures for notifying law enforcement agency when they discover new evidence during the job. It also teaches them how to handle such evidences.
Other techniques the students can learn about include deodorization, cleaning body fluids, personal protection and cleaning contaminated areas. At the end of the training program, candidates who passed the exam are awarded the certified bio-recovery technician designation.
Step 2: Seek Qualified Employers
After obtaining the certificate, the next step is to seek for a qualified employer. Employers who meet OSHA standards for exposure to blood spills is the place to look at. They have a bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan. The bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan includes training and procedures for handling and cleaning blood from a crime scene. A qualified employer also offers Hepatitis B vaccination to its employees as well as personal protective equipment.
Step 3: Look for a Support Group
Finding a support group is one of the methods to resolve any personal issues and difficulties that may arise in the job. Crime scene cleaning can take several days, and this could lead to stress or emotional issues. Hence, crime scene cleaners are admonished by their instructors to seek for support groups.
Step 4: Obtain Additional Training
Obtaining additional training is another way of becoming more marketable to potential employers. There are courses that an aspiring crime scene cleaner can take up to further enhance their skills. Courses such as drug lab decontamination can be considered. It will further prepare and enhance a crime scene cleaner on the decontamination plan.
