Who cleans up crime scenes in Canada?

Trigger Warning:

mention of crimes and acts of violence including suicide.

Call the authorities if an act of violence on your property has been committed.

Inform them what you've found or witnessed, and do not come closer to the scene.

After the police or crime investigators have declared a crime scene and thoroughly investigated it, the medical examiner takes the body away, and you can discuss with them when you can access the property. However, you must prepare for the fact that you and your family are obligated to ensure the crime scene gets cleaned : which means either you take care of it or you may hire a professional company.

A crime scene can result from homicide, vehicle accidents, suicide, or other reasons such as drug labs. But, while examiners dust for fingerprints, dig for clues, and obtain evidence, they don't deal with the mess. So who steps into the scene and cleans up after the police and investigators have checked out? The property owner or resident is usually responsible for crime scene cleaning after all the investigations have been conducted.

The sad reality is that the family is obliged to clean the remains from such horrifying acts, which involves jeopardizing health risks to the person physically cleaning the scene. All bodily fluids are considered health hazards which could bring potential infections and disease. In addition, if the area is left untreated, anyone who will reside there is also at risk of exposure.

Most crime scenes in Canada are cleaned and sanitized by private crime cleanup companies hired by the property owner where the crime took place or the family of the bereaved. Crime scene cleaners companies provide cleanup services for crime scenes, trauma and gruesome scenes. They handle all the cleaning with the risks involved in a crime scene. Make sure to choose professional and compassionate cleaners who provide the appropriate solutions for your needs. In such a sensitive scenario, hiring honest and reliable cleaners who can be discrete and sensitive to the situation is also essential. This can also give you more time to take care of other legal concerns and emotional needs.

Crime scene cleanup companies have the right equipment to complete the job efficiently and effectively regardless of where it occurred. It is essential to clean and sanitize the area with blood, bodily fluids, and infectious or biohazard materials that may have been left behind to ensure the safety of your family or anyone who comes into contact with the crime scene. 

‍Professional crime cleanup cleaners have proper protective clothing to protect them from potentially harmful contaminants. The scene will be sealed off before starting with a thorough cleaning. Cleaning involves eliminating odours, stains and fingerprint dust. Next, removing and safely disposing of bio-hazardous substances such as blood, fecal matter or urine, or chemicals and drugs. They disinfect and sanitize the scene using a vast range of disinfectant products for the surfaces, which can simultaneously exterminate toxic substances, viruses and bacteria. In addition, some pieces of furniture can be treated and cleaned onsite. They may also safely and properly dispose of broken glasses, furnishings, bedding and other contaminated materials that cannot be restored. In the case of hoarding or drug lab remediation, the crime scene cleaners will be prepared to handle everything involved. Cleanup companies have the appropriate containers to prevent substances from spillage during allocation in proper storage and disposal. Cleaning up a trauma scene may take hours or a few days, depending on the situation's severity. They can give you updates and photos for documentation purposes that you may use to get compensation from your insurance company.

Don't let distress cause further agony or endanger your health by trying to clean the scene yourself. Whether you want to transform the place into a safe and inhabitable condition or want to sell the property, you can guarantee the safety of anyone who uses it in the future.

Some people are hesitant to hire crime scene cleaners because they expect all is easy and they can clean up the scene themselves. However, crime scenes are more susceptible to health risks. Unsuspectingly, you might get in contact with a carrier with a bloodborne disease, which may enable a virus to impact your body. In addition, some bacteria can be found in fecal matter or urine and live on any material for weeks. That is why it is vital to wear protective clothing when cleaning a crime scene. Professional cleaners understand the risks of trauma scenes. Cleaning up the blood and fluids takes more than bleach and elbow grease. They can detect every spot or splatter and use different cleaning techniques and agents for every type of matter. They also use concentrated UV light to target and exterminate pollutants.

Crime scene cleaning is not just a standard job but a professional field. They have the knowledge, equipment and experience to handle a crime scene. In addition, they hold essential certifications, qualifications and proper training to ensure the area is safe once again. Ensure that anyone cleaning a crime scene is qualified and licensed to do the job for safety and legal grounds. The outcome of handling incompetently the contaminated or hazardous material can be risky for the cleaning team and the residents. That is why it is crucial to have experts cleaning a crime scene because they are psychologically prepared, well-trained and proficient in complex cases.

Every crime scene varies and are not always highly vivid. But on average, crime scene cleaners spend 8-12 hours cleaning one location. Cleaning involves intense physical labour, so cleaners must undergo training and be physically fit. Most cleaning requires scrubbing walls and carpets, cleaning furniture, and removing strong smells. They will also clean up blood, body parts, and other foul bodily fluids. Decontamination, removing bodily fluids and preventing cross-contamination is a crime scene's basic cleaning process. That's how vital experienced crime scene cleaners are tasked to the job. The mission of a crime scene cleaner is to make the area safe and look untarnished so people can live and work on that property again.

What to look for in a crime scene cleaning company?

Crime scene cleaning offers specialized services, so when searching for a crime scene cleaning company, it would be best to ask questions before hiring the right company. A company known for their care and compassion would be highly desirable for sensitive and emotional situations. Also, always consider customer reviews, experience and qualifications. When you inquire about their services, you can inform them about the situation and ask about their mode of operation, and they should present you with the most straightforward explanation. Also, ask about their payment options and if they can provide details of their insurance policies. Insurance policies vary, so you may consult your insurance agent to determine your specific policy coverage.

What to Expect?

A crime scene cleaner should respond to your call quickly and be on site on time. In addition, they need to work with the crime examiners to evaluate the work that needs to be implemented.

Establish a plan to seal off the area and sanitize contaminated areas. In a typical homicide scene cleanup case, crime scene cleaning experts will separate the space into different zones called perimeter containment. They will carefully separate the areas with well-sealed plastic sheeting and biohazard tape. The first level of containment is the most contaminated spot will be the control zone, which is actively being cleaned. A second containment area is called the buffer zone. It will be utilized as a protected area to prevent decontaminating potential pieces of evidence and if they could save them and use them for explanations in court. The third level would be the perimeter containment, the outside area where the workforce, PPE and cars come into play. This perimeter is built with barricades, and roads are closed to keep unauthorized vehicles and civilians away from the scene. Zone containment aims to secure the area by ensuring unauthorized individuals will not be close enough to trespass upon your crime scene.

There are specific guidelines and policies to be followed on crime scene cleaning, which means licensed crime scene cleaners have earned their credentials and qualifications. All technicians and cleaners must also pass training and courses on chemical exposure, proper handling of blood borne pathogens and medical waste management before they are hired

GET SUPPORT

While your cleanup is taking place, communicate with your friends and loved ones. Unfortunate incidents are heartbreaking and traumatizing. Tragic events can lead to stress, anxiety and trauma and frustrate an individual's capacity to cope. Get psychological support and emotional comfort, or you may call a helpline for assistance if you're not receiving aid. You may discuss your traumatic experience with a counsellor. Acknowledge the process and accept what has happened, whether directly or indirectly involved. It may take some time, but proper support will help you overcome the experience.  

Trauma Scene Bio Services Inc is a licensed company that serves all types of trauma and crime scene cleanup while safeguarding privacy, valuables and personal dignity in Alberta, Edmonton and Calgary. We strictly abide by OSHA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for safety and health standards and follow all applicable local, state and federal guidelines. In addition, we restore the property to a safe and sanitary condition. If tragedy happens, no one should handle a crime scene cleanup alone. Our team can help at your service 24/7. Call them at 780-416-8464 any time of night or day for help anywhere in Alberta.