Crime scene cleaner is to clean and sanitize the area where a violent crime has taken place. This can include the cleaning of blood, body fluids, and even tear gas.
Below are steps to Become A Crime Scene Cleaner South Africa
Here are the four steps you can take to become a crime scene cleaner:
Step 1: Complete Biorecovery Technician Training
Biorecovery training courses provide students with blood borne pathogen training required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which regulates workers, like crime scene cleaners, who are exposed to blood and blood borne pathogens.
Step 2: Seek Qualified Employers
When seeking a position in this field, individuals can look for employers who meet OSHA standards for exposure to blood spills.
Employers who meet these requirements should have a blood borne pathogen exposure control plan. The plan includes training and procedures for handling and cleaning blood from a crime scene.
Step 3: Look for a Support Group
Cleaning up a crime scene can take several days, and the individual situations could lead to stress or emotional issues.
Instructors who prepare crime scene cleaners suggest that these workers seek support groups as one method to resolve any personal issues with difficult scenes or situations.
Step 4: Obtain Additional Training
Aspiring crime scene cleaners who want to be more marketable to potential employers might consider completing additional training, such as courses on drug lab decontamination.
These courses can take up to two days and provide hands-on training on assessing a site and preparing a decontamination plan.>
Career Requirements to Become A Crime Scene Cleaner South Africa
Degree Level: None
Degree Field(s): Biorecovery training required by OSHA
License/Certification: Voluntary certification available
Key Skills: attention to detail; thoroughnes; high tolerance for coming into contact with potentially physically and emotionally upsetting materials.
What skills should crime scene cleaners have?
Crime scene cleaners typically have both soft skills and specific crime scene cleaning skills. Useful skills for crime scene cleaners include:
Attention to detail: In order to clean and sanitize spaces, crime scene cleaners should have exceptional attention to detail.
Compassion: Crime scene cleaners often interact with people who have experienced challenging events, so compassion is an essential soft skill in this occupation.
Interpersonal communication: Crime scene cleaners should possess skills in interpersonal communication to communicate effectively with clients.
Biohazard knowledge: Knowing how to deal with biohazards and other dangerous materials is crucial for crime scene cleaners to perform their jobs safely.
Physical stamina: Crime scene cleaning can require physical exertion, so crime scene cleaners should be physically fit to clean thoroughly and effectively.
What is needed to become a crime scene cleaner in South Africa?
A high school diploma or GED is the only academic degree that you need to possess for most crime scene cleanup businesses. That’s because on-the-job training is provided for these technicians.
Are crime scene cleaners paid well in South Africa ?
According to the BLS, the median annual crime scene cleaners salary as of May 2019 was R 622607.34. This slightly exceeds the number listed at career website Simply Hired, which reports an average crime scene cleaners salary of R 539214.83per year .
Is crime scene cleanup a good career?
Although a career in biohazard cleanup is demanding both mentally and physically, it is equally as rewarding. Danielle says her career with Aftermath has allowed her to travel to places across the country, but more importantly, touch the lives of those she works with in an indescribable way.
How long does it take to be a crime scene investigator in South Africa ?
Those who wish to become certified CSIs can opt for 1 of the 4 certifications offered by the International Association for Identification (IAI). The overall process of becoming a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) might take at least 7-8 years.
How long does it take to clean up a crime scene?
Cleaning up a crime scene is no easy feat. In fact, the amount of time spent cleaning can range from four hours to two days, depending on how confined the space is and what’s in it.
Is there a demand for crime scene investigators?
That being said, the BLS estimates that both occupations will be in demand, experiencing higher rates of growth than the current national average for all occupations (4 percent). While not all of these jobs will be specific to crime scene investigation, some certainly will.