Hazardous Contaminants Found at a Crime Scene

Cleaning up a crime scene is difficult. While it may be tempting to remove all evidence of the incident at once, doing so could jeopardize a criminal investigation. Body fluids and tissue cannot be discarded like trash, and handling them without the proper training and equipment is extremely dangerous. The majority of people aren't emotionally prepared to do the job, and commercially available cleaning products and equipment aren't up to the task.

While "crime scene cleaning" usually conjures up images of a puddle of blood, there are a variety of hazardous materials that must be cleaned by professionals with the necessary experience and equipment:

• Forensic Residue: In the course of their investigation, crime scene investigators employ a variety of tools; you've probably seen "dusting for fingerprints" in movies and television shows. Cleaning something like this with commercially available materials and equipment is difficult.
• Bodily Fluids: At murder scenes, blood, tissue, saliva, and other bodily fluids are routinely detected. Infections and disorders such as hepatitis and HIV can be easily transmitted through these fluids. These items cannot be thrown away in regular garbage; instead, they must be transported in special containers to designated disposal sites. Cleanup necessitates the use of specialized protective equipment and supplies, as well as the supervision of trained professionals.
• Gasses: Long-term exposure to tear gas or pepper spray, which may be used to evict a suspect or in the course of a crime, can be extremely harmful to your health. Professionals should handle the cleanup because they will be able to remove all traces of the gas and any residue.
• Biohazard Objects: Needles or biohazardous materials may be found at a crime scene. These objects can be extremely dangerous, even deadly, if not handled properly. These items cannot be thrown away in regular garbage; instead, they must be transported in special containers to designated disposal sites. For this, specific protective equipment and supplies, as well as professional employee supervision, are required.
• Strong Odors: Many scents can linger in your home or in the air. This cleanup should be done by professionals because they have specialized equipment to ensure that all odors are removed.

Call the experts at Restoration1 of Towson if you have a tragedy or a crime scene in your home or office. We'll arrive on time and in silence to remove biohazardous materials in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws, as well as OSHA standards. We also collaborate with law enforcement to ensure that an investigation is not jeopardized. Our compassionate specialists understand that our clients are going through a difficult time, so they receive our full attention and respect.