Crime Scene Cleaner Training

Crime scene cleaners must train to handle potentially harmful biohazardous waste.

The industry of crime scene cleanup is a growing business, especially in metropolitan areas where there tends to be higher crime rates. While the job poses a variety of risks including exposure to potentially harmful bio-hazards, the amount of pay in relation to the time and cost of training required is lucrative to some. According to What it Costs, annual salaries for crime scene cleaners range between $40,000 and $50,000.

What is Crime Scene Cleaning?

Crime scene cleaners, also called crime and trauma scene decontamination specialists (CTS decons) are often referred to as second responders as they are the ones who show up on a crime or trauma scene after first responders such as emergency medical technicians, firemen and police have completed their responsibilities. Their primary purpose is to thoroughly remove and clean all bio-hazardous material and waste that may be found at the crime scene. This generally entails anything that may have been left behind from a human body and can include bodily fluids, bone fragments and pieces of soft tissue.

What Does Training Encompass?

Crime and trauma scene cleaner training generally involves teaching the students about bloodborne pathogens, OSHA regulations, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and sometimes will include tips for finding employment or train the students on how to start and market their own crime and trauma scene decontamination business. The training academy will usually directly provide CPR, first aid and bloodborne pathogen certification.

Cost of Training

Cost of training varies depending on the specific training academy. Some training academies such as the CTS Decontamination Training Academy offer virtual courses via the Internet and, as of July 2010, offer training packages ranging from $495 to $2,495. Bio-Trauma 911 Inc. offers hands-on training with package prices ranging from $1,075 to $1,250, plus the cost of travel to their nearest training site.

Length of Training

Aside from financial compensation, another aspect that makes this type of work lucrative to some is that the training is completed in a short amount of time. Unlike completing a degree in a college or technical school that may take years, crime and trauma scene training and certifications are usually completed in less than a week.

Choosing a Training Academy

Someone who is considering a career in crime and trauma scene decontamination should research various academies to see what they have to offer. Some academies may only offer the minimal legal requirements such as CPR, first aid and bloodborne pathogen certification. Other academies offer additional training to ensure that their students leave feeling confident to take on their first job. Another important question prospective students should ask academies is if they assist in finding their students employment once training is completed. Having required certifications to clean crime scenes does not guarantee employment in the field. Some academies may help graduated students find work or help them to start their own business, while others do not.

References

• What it Costs: What it Costs to Clean up a Murder Scene
• CTS Decontamination Training Academy: Training for Crime and Trauma Scene Cleanup

Resources

• Bio-Trauma 911: Crime Scene Cleanup Training Course Overview