A professional in the field of crime scene cleaning has emphasized the crucial rule that should never be violated when dealing with difficult situations. Having worked in this profession for a few months, she shared insights into her experiences of cleaning distressing scenes once forensic teams have completed their investigations.
In a candid discussion on Reddit, she disclosed the challenging tasks she encounters, ranging from cleaning human remains from a hot tub to renovating homes where bodies were left to decompose. Apart from her cleaning responsibilities, she volunteers at a coroner’s office to assist with post-mortems.
Reflecting on the psychological impact of her work, she acknowledged that nearly everyone in her line of work develops PTSD. She revealed her personal struggles with PTSD exacerbated by her job, leading her to seek therapy for support.
The cleaner emphasized the cardinal rule of not taking photos or videos at the crime scenes, stressing that violating this rule results in immediate dismissal and potential legal consequences. She highlighted the importance of respect for the deceased and their families, expressing disdain for gore videos that disrespect victims.
Furthermore, she mentioned instances where her work aided police investigations by uncovering overlooked evidence, such as hidden drugs that contributed to a person’s overdose. She explained her role’s connection to law enforcement agencies, where she is compensated per cleanup, typically averaging around £374 ($500), contingent on the complexity of the task.
Describing the entry into her profession, she outlined the training program focusing on biohazards and proper cleaning techniques for crime scenes. She noted that dealing with cases involving children is particularly challenging in her line of work.