Dark Vocations 13 – The Crime Scene Cleaner
Crime scenes are places of horror, tragedy, and mystery. When the police have finished their investigations, the forensic experts have gathered evidence, and the coroner has removed the body, what’s left behind is often a gruesome mess.
This is where crime scene cleaners come in—a group of unsung heroes whose job is not only physically demanding but also emotionally taxing. They step into the aftermath of violent crimes, suicides, unattended deaths, and accidents to clean and restore these spaces.
This blog post delves into the gritty details of this macabre profession, exploring the challenges, skills, and mental fortitude required to clean up after death.
A Day in the Life
Crime scene cleaners, often referred to as biohazard remediation specialists, have no typical day. Their work involves cleaning up after homicides, suicides, decomposing bodies, industrial accidents, and other traumatic events. Each situation presents unique challenges, but the common thread is the presence of biohazards—blood, bodily fluids, and human tissue that pose significant health risks if not handled correctly.
Arrival on Scene: Upon arriving at a crime scene, cleaners must first assess the situation. They need to determine the extent of the contamination, the types of biohazards present, and the necessary cleaning procedures. This initial assessment is crucial, as it dictates the safety measures and equipment required.
Preparation: Before any cleaning can begin, the area must be secured. This involves setting up barriers to prevent the spread of contaminants and donning personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hazmat suits, gloves, masks, and sometimes even respirators. The PPE is essential for protecting cleaners from exposure to dangerous pathogens and chemicals.
Cleaning Process: The cleaning process itself is a gruelling and meticulous task. It involves:
– Removal of Biohazards: Blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids must be carefully removed. This can involve scrubbing surfaces, tearing out carpets, and even removing sections of walls or flooring.
– Decontamination: After the visible biohazards are removed, the area must be thoroughly disinfected. This step ensures that any remaining pathogens are destroyed, reducing the risk of infection or disease.
– Odour Removal: Decomposition, in particular, leaves behind a powerful and lingering odour. Cleaners use industrial-grade deodorizing agents to eliminate these smells, ensuring the space is not only clean but also habitable again.
– Restoration: In some cases, the damage is so extensive that parts of the property need to be replaced or rebuilt. Crime scene cleaners often work in tandem with contractors to restore the area to its original state.
The Gross Nature of the Job
Cleaning up after a crime or traumatic event is not for the faint-hearted. The job exposes workers to some of the most repulsive and disturbing sights and smells imaginable.
Blood and Bodily Fluids: One of the most common tasks is cleaning up blood. Blood can seep into carpets, floorboards, and walls, creating a difficult and time-consuming job. But it’s not just the sight of blood; it’s also the knowledge that blood can carry dangerous pathogens like HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.
Decomposition: When someone dies and their body isn’t discovered for days or weeks, the process of decomposition sets in. Decomposing bodies produce a foul odour that is almost impossible to forget. The body fluids that are released during decomposition can saturate anything they come into contact with, leading to extensive cleaning and removal efforts.
Maggots and Insects: Decomposition also attracts insects, particularly flies, which lay eggs in the body. These eggs hatch into maggots that can infest the area. Crime scene cleaners often have to deal with maggots, flies, and other pests as part of their job.
Faecal Matter and Urine: In some situations, cleaners are also tasked with removing faecal matter and urine, particularly in cases of suicide or unattended death. The smell and the health risks associated with cleaning these substances add another layer of difficulty to the job.
Unexpected Discoveries: Crime scene cleaners sometimes stumble upon things that weren’t initially part of their job description. This could include personal belongings of the deceased, forgotten evidence, or even additional human remains. Each discovery must be managed with care and reported to the authorities if necessary.
The Psychological Toll
The physical challenges of crime scene cleaning are only part of the story. The psychological toll is significant and often underappreciated. Cleaners are constantly exposed to scenes of extreme violence, death, and despair. Over time, this exposure can lead to serious mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Coping Mechanisms: Many crime scene cleaners develop coping mechanisms to deal with the horrors they encounter. Some rely on dark humour, others on detachment—seeing the job as purely mechanical work that needs to be done. However, these coping mechanisms can only do so much, and many in the profession seek therapy or counselling to help them manage the emotional burden.
Support Systems: Strong support systems, both at work and at home, are crucial for those in this line of work. Some companies offer mental health resources, and workers often rely on the camaraderie of their colleagues to get through particularly tough jobs.
Why Do They Do It?
Given the nature of the work, many people wonder why anyone would choose to become a crime scene cleaner. The answer varies from person to person, but there are a few common themes.
A Sense of Duty: For some, there is a deep sense of duty to help families in their darkest moments. Crime scene cleaners often work closely with grieving families, helping to remove the physical reminders of their loved one’s death. The ability to bring some measure of comfort or closure to these families can be incredibly rewarding.
Job Stability: Unfortunately, death is a constant, which means that crime scene cleaners are always in demand. For those who can handle the work, it offers job stability and a steady income in an often uncertain job market.
Challenge: Some people are drawn to the challenge of the work. Crime scene cleaning is not easy, and it requires a unique combination of physical endurance, mental toughness, and attention to detail. The satisfaction of overcoming these challenges and restoring a space to its original state can be a powerful motivator.
Conclusion
Crime scene cleaning is not a job for everyone. It’s a profession that requires a strong stomach, a resilient mind, and a compassionate heart. The people who take on this work face horrors most of us can’t imagine, but they do so with a sense of purpose and dedication that is truly commendable.
Whether driven by a sense of duty, the need for job security, or the desire to rise to a challenge, crime scene cleaners are the unsung heroes who step in to clean up the messes no one else can bear to face.
© Colin Lawson Books