CSI: Azusa Part 2–The 3 Most Common Crime and Trauma Scenes

All Crime and Trauma scenes involve dangerous biological and/or chemical substances, but here are the three types of scenes that we encounter most.

1.    Violent Death

Whether at the hands of a violent criminal or by suicide, violent deaths are quite horrific in terms of cleanup after the coroner has left the scene.  Organic matter like blood, brain tissue and feces, can be found just about anywhere:

* Walls
* Floors
* Carpets
* Baseboards
* Counters
* Ceilings
* Light fixtures
* Family photos
* Decorative trinkets
* Artwork
* Appliances

Dangerous biological pathogens can literally be found on anything at the scene and, if they are not fully cleaned and sanitized, can lead to mold, bacteria and fungal growth.  Ew!

Every molecule of organic matter must be cleaned from the scene, even from places you can’t see easily, like under carpets and between floorboards.  Does this sound like a DIY job to you?

2.    Decomposition

A decomposing body does not wreak so much havoc over a large area as a violent death, but it can be more revolting to an ordinary person.  The smell alone seems to set off an alarm in people to get out quick.  Depending on how long the person has been deceased, crime and trauma scene cleanup crews can have to deal with liquified skin and organs and insects, including maggots that try to run away and hide when the cleaners come.  Those maggots carry blood from the victim, possibly infected with viruses or bacteria, and have to be found and burned.

3.    Methamphetamine Labs

These crime scenes have one big advantage:  they are not gross!  However, they are more dangerous than the other types of scenes.  Many poisonous substances can be used to make meth:

* Acetone,
* Methanol
* Ammonia
* Benzene
* Iodine
* Hydrochloric acid

All of these chemicals leave behind a toxic residue that clings to every surface and lingers in the air.  Most of them can even be absorbed through the skin!

Exposure to the chemicals in a methamphetamine lab can cause many health problems including lung, kidney and liver damage, birth defects and blindness, among others. And unless the crime scene is cleaned properly and thoroughly, it stays poisonous to anyone who enters for up to ten years!

These are the kinds of projects that Alliance Environmental Group‘s Crime and Trauma Scene Cleanup Crews can take care of for you.  We sincerely hope that you never find yourself in need of these services, but if you do, please don’t try to take care of it yourself.  Our empathetic, professional teams will come in and make sure that the scene is clean, safe and a healthy place to live or work once more.  Contact Alliance if you need us.

Next time: How Do They Do It?