In Florida, it is the responsibility of the property owner to clean up a crime scene unless the incident occurs on public property.
If you are a landlord, homeowner, or business owner, you must be the one who arranges and pays for the cost of cleaning up crime scenes on your property.
It is not the duty of law enforcers and crime scene investigators to clean the property. Their job is only to document the crime scene and secure the available evidence, but not to clean it. Even if they attempt to clean it, most lack the knowledge and equipment to do a thorough cleaning.
Tough, depressing task
Cleaning a crime scene is not easy. It is quite distressing and traumatizing, especially in cases like suicide and murder. More so if the crime involves a family member.
This task is not for just anyone, especially if you lack the skills and equipment to conduct it safely and effectively.
The best course of action is always to call the professionals to do the job.
Working with professional crime scene cleaners
To avoid the trauma and danger of cleaning a crime scene, you should leave the job to professional crime scene cleaners.
Also called bioremediation specialists or forensic cleaners, professional crime scene cleaners are skilled and experienced in decontaminating crime scenes. They work quickly, safely, and efficiently, emptying and cleaning the crime area soon after the police and crime investigators have inspected the site and authorized clean-up.
The cleaning is done immediately to minimize cross-contamination risks, reduce emotional distress for family members and friends, and keep business activities going.
Why hire crime scene cleaners?
Crime scene cleaners ensure that health protocols are followed during the clean-up.
Blood and body fluids in crime scenes contain highly toxic and infectious organisms, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and the H1N1 flu virus. These organisms can survive outside the body for several weeks. If health protocols are not followed, those who come into contact with them may get infected.
Professional crime scene cleaners will adhere to health protocols throughout the process. They use tape and plastic sheeting to delineate areas into clean, buffer, control, and contaminated zones to prevent cross-contamination. Then, they clean the contaminated sites first and test the surfaces for the presence of living organisms.
When the cleaning process is complete, they check that the ATP levels are at 0, which confirms the crime scene is sanitary.
Any dangerous biological contaminants will be removed from the crime scene using proper equipment and in a manner that protects others from life-threatening infections. All of that is done to reduce the risk of future damage and recurring odors and safely dispose of biohazardous materials, including blood-soaked furniture and carpets.
Crime scene cleaners are skilled, certified, and experienced in exposure to chemicals and blood-borne pathogens. They protect themselves by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory equipment, double-layer gloves, and biohazard suits.
Dependable crime scene cleaning
At West Central Equipment and Restoration in Lecanto, Florida, we tackle crime scenes, delivering a compassionate and professional service to businesses and families.
Our highly sensitive and experienced professionals handle the most difficult situations and follow safety and quality standards in compliance with federal and state regulations.
We are fully licensed and insured and also work with most insurance firms to ensure that your property is cleaned without undue pressure on your pockets.
Call us today at (352) 270-8417 for more information on crime scene cleaning and other cleaning and restoration services.
