Are you cool with cleaning blood cuts, guts, and other parts of the body? Becoming a crime scene cleaner is a great way to get your foot in the door!
In this article, we would explore the job prospects and educational requirements to give you a closer idea of what to expect in being a crime scene cleaner.
Keep reading and find out all you need to know about becoming a crime scene cleaner.
Become A Crime Scene Cleaner
The sad part of life is crime can never go away in society, this means that crime scene cleaners would always be in demand.
Although measures have been taken to prevent crime unfortunately crime is still likely to occur.
The job description of crime scene cleaners is not only centered on crime but also accidental deaths.
After a crime occurs, crime scene professionals need to clean and sanitize the area to make sure there are no signs of crime left.
However, since you are on this post, you would be aware of the processes and steps you need to take to become a crime scene cleaner.
Before you enroll in a university for the training and teachings that are connected to this course, there are important basics you must be awarer of to ensure that you are on the right program.
This includes the skills, qualifications, and training that are required of crime scene cleaners.
Furthermore, this post also showcases the facts about crime scene cleansing jobs that are right for you. Let’s dig in.
Become A Crime Scene Cleaner [ Working Hours ]
Cleaning crime scenes is different from your normal cleaning job. You would be required to spend an average of 9 to 10 hours of work on a crime site.
Your duty involves heavy physical strength which is why many companies require crime scene cleaners to be physically fit to lift at least 50 pounds without stress.
Bear in mind that, not every crime scene is stressful or intense, many of your duties would consist of cleaning carpets, scrubbing walls, cleaning furniture, and ventilating strong smells.
Ensure that you are not scared of blood because you would like;y be cleaning blood, body parts, and maybe even other disgusting bodily fluids.
The responsibility of a crime cleaner is to make the crime scene look spotless so people can live and work in that location again.
Let’s check out some of the issues you might face working as a newbie crime scene cleaner.
How To Become A Crime Scene Cleaner {Work Around Blood And Waste}
As we stated earlier a crime scene cleaner would be handling blood, dead bodies, human waste, and even disgusting body parts.
While crime scenes might be different, there are not only dirty and messy but would likely give a foul smell. Bear in mind that you may feel sick and nostalgic when you first start the job.
This is normal, and as you get experienced on the job, you would be able to control your body better.
You would be able to find the best ways to subdue your sickness before you can start cleaning. Furthermore, most become less sensitive on the job.
For instance, if your body doesn’t like strong smells, you will likely get used to them as you become experienced at the job.
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How To Become A Crime Scene Cleaner { Emotional Toll}
We cannot deny the fact that working at a crime scene can hurt your emotions.
Seeing dead bodies and other crimes every day can completely destabilize the rest of your day, it is worst than blood and guts.
As human beings we naturally feel sorry whenever we come across harmful situations, so looking at dead bodies or accident victims struggling for their lives can make us feel very sad.
The most fearful part is that after seeing these bodies you would still have to do the job that your company is paying you for.
This means that you must learn how to control your emotion to successfully become a crime scene cleaner. You must ensure that you enroll in therapy sections to keep your mental health in check.
Working Irregular Hours
Do you know that crime can happen at all hours of the day?
In addition, the police and law enforcement agencies might not get to the crime scene immediately, but after the evidence has been complied the crime scene would need the services of a crime scene cleaner.
Many crime scene cleaners don’t work with schedules because you don’t know when an accident or a crime s bound to happen.
You must ensure your phones are always on because you can receive calls at any time of the day.
This means you might miss family events because you would have to show up at work at a moment’s notice.
Therefore, before choosing this career ensure that you can adjust to the unpredictable events of the job.
For instance, if you have a family you would have o make proper arrangements for their care if you are called on at any time of the day.
Training
No profession doesn’t require hours of training and teaching for people to be experts in that career.
So what are the training and teachings you must go through to become a crime scene cleaner? Let’s look at the necessary credentials that are required for this job.
1. Certification
Yes, crime scene cleaners need to go through training and certifications before they can be allowed to practice this job.
Many regulations and restrictions are placed on crime scenes.
Of course, the public cannot be allowed close to crime scenes so they don’t disrupt crime evidence and reports.
This is why crime scene cleaners must go through the necessary procedures to earn specific certifications before cleaning a crime scene.
These training and certification include cleaning, handling blood-borne pathogens, and bio-recovery.
Bear in mind that the certification and training you would earn depend on where you live.
However the United states follow OSHA guidelines and training requirements, and crime scene cleanup training varies with each country.
Candidates might be asked to write and pass specific courses, these courses might involve heat-illness awareness, hazardous communication, and medical waste handling.
Finally, many companies require that their work goes through complete specific training before they’re hired.
2. Using PPE And Respiratory Protection
Since crime scene cleansers work with foul smell, human waste, and dangerous substances most crime scene cleaners would be required to wear personal protective equipment {PPE} and wear specified equipment to enable easier breathing.
You might even wear a Hazmat suit and you wouldn’t be allowed to use these tools without going through proper safety training.
Finally, Your company will provide this training, but it’s recommended you do some research and register for some training on your own.
Tips To Look At For When Looking For A Crime Scene Job
As we mentioned earlier many companies offer training for their crime scene cleaners.
However, ensure that you are qualified before applying to work as a crime scene cleaner.
After you have concluded your training and Certification it’s time to send an application to a forensic firm!
Knowing these tips below will help you get hired:
- Write an effective resume that lists your certifications, skills, qualifications and related experience in the field
- If you worked in a construction or cleaning firm previously, you’ll have a great chance of getting hired as a crime scene cleaner
- Candidates must pass a background and drug test
- Find emergency cleaning companies that specifically handle crime scene, accident, and biohazard cleaning
Ensure you enroll in a therapy program or support after you have gotten your dream job as a crime scene cleaner.
Even if you don’t think you’ll need it, many crime scene cleaners find the emotional torture worse than the crime scene mess.
Start researching for a therapist or support group that you can be part of before you’re ready.
Conclusion
With the right qualifications and skills, you can become a crime scene cleaner.
Enroll in a Certificate course in Forensic and Trauma Cleaning and get started on your career.
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