Recently, a crime scene cleaner is in a high-demand position in the law enforcement jobs. This position basically specializes in cleaning crime scenes, which is very important, since they can safely sanitize an area. Furthermore, crime scene cleaners actually help families and businesses who have experienced challenging events to clean up their area.
Read also: How Much Do Crime Scene Investigators Make an Hour
To become a crime scene cleaner, there are a sequence of stages you need to pass through and of course, you should also meet some requirements and qualifications. If you are interested in pursuing your career as a crime scene cleaner, you can figure out what you have to prepare to apply for this position. Okay, just dive into our post below to get the guide!
Becoming a Crime Scene Cleaner, Here’s How!
There are a number of stages you need to pass through in pursuing a career as a crime scene cleaner. If you really want to be a crime scene cleaner, you can do the following steps, until you’ll be able to apply for this position.
Stage 1: Complete Training for the Job
Even though there is no formal education that is required to become a crime scene cleaner, completing your high-school is very necessary to increase your chances of getting hired. In the United States, there are numerous training and certification programs for crime scene investigators such as biohazard handling training, pathogen training, etc.
If you get trained in those areas, it can really help you to ensure that you can do your jobs as a crime scene cleaner effectively and safely. So, if you want to pursue your career as a crime scene cleaner, make sure to search for a certification in crime scene cleaning, handling bloodborne pathogens from a government agency or also bio-recovery.
It would be better for you to look for training with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and respiratory protection. Keep in mind, working as a crime scene cleaner will involve wearing a Hazmat suit or other protective equipment.
Stage 2: Test and Assess Your Suitability
Before applying for the position as a crime scene cleaner, you may need to test and assess your suitability. This way is very important to do, since you can test your suitability. As a crime scene cleaner, of course, you will work around blood and waste without feeling sick.
You really know that the crime scene will often be bloody, messy and will also reek of death or decomposition. Make sure you can really handle working on a crime scene which may smell horrible before deciding to become a crime scene cleaner.
As a crime scene cleaner, you must be strong enough to handle hours of physical labor. In general, it may take up to 9 or 10 hours to clean a crime scene fully. When testing your suitability, you may need to adjust to working long and irregular hours. However, crime will occur anytime, so you should be ready to clean up a scene at a moment’s office.
Stage 3: Start Finding a Job by Creating Your Resume
After testing your suitability and you’re ready to work as a crime scene cleaner, you can start to find a job related to working cleaning or construction jobs. Of course, there are some ways you can take to build desirable skills. You can try to find a job on a construction site to get experience with power tools and health and safety standards.
To start finding a job as a crime scene cleaner, you will need to create a resume that provides your contact information, work experience, education, skills and certifications. You can also focus on including your skills and experiences in your resume related to crime scene cleaning to show potential employers whether you are eligible to be a crime scene cleaner or not.
You also need to consider creating a section to highlight your soft and technical skills, due to this position involves interpersonal skills and communication. Make sure you privilege any formal training that you have in biohazard handling or other cleaning experience.
Stage 4: Search for a Job
If you have created your resume, you can start to apply for this job. You can try to find a job with companies which handle crime scene and biohazard cleanup. What you should do is to reach out to the companies which deal with biohazard cleanup in your area.
You can really search for this position through job boards, search engines and social media platforms. After finding a job for crime scene cleaner, you can get in contact with them and send a cover letter and a copy of your resume that explains why you would like to work for them.
Stage 5: Have an Interview
Before having an interview, make sure you are ready to pass a drug test and a background check to see if you get hired. Since you will be working in people’s homes and dealing with very sensitive situations, most biohazard cleaners need to pass a drug test and background check before being hired.
During an interview, you should come prepared to discuss your skills and certifications which are relevant to working as a crime scene cleaner. However, it will help show your interview that you have the experience and qualifications necessary to be a crime scene cleaner that may increase your chances of getting the role.
Stage 6: Complete On-The-Job Training
After you find a job as a crime scene cleaner, you may have to complete additional crime scene cleaning training courses and on-the-job training. If you clean companies, it may set their own guidelines around training and professional development.
Over time, you may have to renew your existing certifications that can help you ensure you know how to do your job safely and thoroughly.
Stage 7: Join a Support Group
Since becoming a crime scene cleaner is a bit of a challenging position, you may need to join a support group or have a system in place for when you need emotions.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
