Ever wondered what happens long after a murder or accident scene has been concluded? Who does the cleaning?
Well, the answer is not as simple as “have a professional clean it up”, it takes a certain dedication and qualification to get the job done professionally.
Bloemfontein Courant spoke to a local consultant for the internationally certified and South African accredited Skitterblink Trauma and Crime Scene Cleaning franchise to find out what it entails to be the last one to arrive at a scene.
The 53-year-old Debbie Carpenter is an experienced, retired Warrant Officer in the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) investigation unit. “I am dedicated to helping those who have gone through tragic loss by assisting them with this professional and confidential service… I am here to take over this task to assist families so that the healing process can begin,” she said.
The services provided include, but is not limited to, industrial and business accidents, vehicle accidents and clean up, unattended deaths, suicides, homicides and injuries at home or the workplace. “The necessity for this specific service is that there are health risks involved and no family member, loved one or friend, should be exposed to the trauma of cleaning up a scene of someone they love. This prolongs the healing process and can be emotionally damaging. They may not realise it immediately but it eventually takes a toll,” expressed Carpenter.
Carpenter added that in order to get ready for a call-out, she needs to prepare herself both emotionally and spiritually through prayer while keeping fit. “I also confirm with SAPS that every scene is known to them and cleared before I proceed with a clean-up. It is vital so that all evidence is obtained before cleaned. The types of trauma done by myself throughout the last year has mostly been murder, unattended deaths and suicides.”
Her advice to anyone who comes across a trauma or crime scenes is that they report it immediately. “Do not tamper with anything on a scene and if possible, for many reasons, do not attempt to clean up a trauma scene yourself,” she urged.
Gypseenia Lion
