Crime Scene Cleanup Job Duties
Crime scene cleanup crews decontaminate scenes where criminal events have occurred. To work in the field, one must be emotionally tough and willing to handle dangerous materials. It is a private industry, so pay depends on the company. A cleaner's work site may include areas where bodies have been decomposing or people have been illegally producing methamphetamines.
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Pay
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According to Ron Gospodarski, president of Bio-Recovery Corp., entry-level full-time cleaners can make $35,000 a year, and that salary may grow to $80,000 after a few years of experience (see Resources).
Crime Scenes
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Crimes scenes that require professional cleaners include homicides and self-inflicted deaths, unattended deaths, vehicular wrecks, accidents and injuries, property negligence and meth lab production.
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Risks
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The United States government considers all bodily fluids to be bio-hazards. Crime scene cleaners must wear protective gear and use bio-hazard waste containers to transport materials while protecting the public and themselves. Workers must receive a hepatitis B vaccine every five years, have a strong stomach and be able to handle a high level of stress to survive as a crime scene cleaner.
General Duties
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As a crime scene cleaner, one is responsible for decontaminating crime scenes and removing all bio-hazards following investigation of the scene by law enforcement agents. Cleaners use a wide range of tools to effectively perform this task.
History
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Before crime scene cleanup businesses came about, victims' family members and friends were responsible for cleaning up often bloody scenes.
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