What to Know about Crime Scene Cleaner Qualifications

 

Like most careers, crime scene cleaning requires specific qualifications. The job of a crime scene cleaner is to clean and sanitize the area where a violent crime has taken place. This can include the cleaning of blood, body fluids, and even tear gas. Some crime scene cleaners are also responsible for cleaning up after suicides, industrial accidents, and unattended deaths.

Due to the disturbing nature of some crime scenes, crime scene cleanup is not for everyone. On top of that, working in this industry requires long, unpredictable hours, a keen attention to detail, and a balance of compassion and professionalism.

What are the education qualifications to become a crime scene cleaner?

No formal education is required to be a crime scene cleaner. However, most bioremediation companies offer OSHA training and on-the-job education sessions. Some training programs that you may encounter as a crime scene cleaner include:

  • Bloodborne pathogen training
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) training
  • Respiratory protection training
  • Hazardous communication training
  • Medical waste handling and transporting training
  • Heat-illness awareness training

What other qualifications are required to be a crime scene cleaner?

If you are seriously considering a job in crime scene cleanup, it is important to know that crime scene cleanup is not easy work. The long hours and intense manual labor can quickly overwhelm individuals who lack a clear understanding of the job.

More than anything, a crime scene cleaner should have a strong commitment to the job and the families they serve. This includes exhibiting compassion and integrity while adhering to all health and safety regulations to protect everyone involved in the process.

While challenging, crime scene cleaning can be incredibly rewarding work for the right person. Andrew Whitmarsh, an Operations Safety/Compliance Manager for Aftermath says, “When we [Aftermath] show up, people are emotionally shocked and often shut down. But knowing the work we’ve done has helped someone in their darkest time, the feeling I get is not even close to a simple pat on the back. It’s really not something I can describe in words.”

Do you think you have what it takes to be a crime scene cleaner? Aftermath is always accepting employment inquiries. Learn more here.

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Sources:

OSHA.gov
Aftermath