Crime Scene Cleaners: Meet the Man Who Cleans Up the Blood

In New Zealand, Crime Scene Cleaners staff are tasked with removing blood and bodily fluids from places where crimes have taken place, suicides occurred, homes where there is mold and pests from hoarding situations, or rental properties turned into drug labs. "It's a challenging job and requires a strong stomach and someone that is exceptionally thorough," says Carl Loader, who together with partner Tara-Jayne Stapleton started Crime Scene Cleaners a decade ago. Loader says safety is paramount for trauma cleanup, especially since some scenes could include bacterial infections, MRSA, and other contagions. The trauma cleaners are given in-house and external training courses in negotiating potentially perilous sites and using the customized chemicals required to clean them. Once an assessment is done, staff are kitted up in protective clothing before entering buildings. Biowaste from trauma sites is double bagged and taken to medical waste disposal facilities. Cleaners' rubber gloves and booties and biohazard suits are bagged and disposed of, sometimes incinerated depending on the situation. Ozone machines and air scrubbers are some of the specialized equipment utilized to remove foul odors. The company also offers professional counseling to staff, who have to deal so closely with the aftermath of tragedy and violence, he says.

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