Crime-Scene Cleaning – A Unique Niche

The recent uptick in urban crime has helped jump-start a business enterprise that some might find distasteful – cleaning, sanitizing and in some cases rebuilding homes or offices where violent incidents have occurred, so that owners or tenants can reoccupy them, according to a recent report in the Chicago Tribune.

The article described how one area resident, Bill Muir, got into the business after he offered to clean his sister’s apartment following a suicide that took place there. While the job wasn’t easy, the gratitude that his sister showed for his efforts led Muir to launch a career out of this type of work. “I wanted to start helping people,” he told the Tribune. “And seeing my sister’s face after … I knew this is how I can help.”

The article went on to interview other entrepreneurs in the business of crime-scene cleaning, as well as law-enforcement officials. The industry now has its own trade group, the American Bio-Recovery Association, which represents as many as 500-800 companies nationwide.

The work of crime-scene cleaning after the completion of criminal investigations sometimes requires haz-mat style suits and specialty equipment to clean and repair homes and businesses affected by a variety of incidents. Companies are required to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for hazardous-materials disposal and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules on employee safety. However, the industry isn’t closely regulated, the article said.

Bottom line? However one looks at crime-scene cleaning, this is a service that is sometimes necessary, and entrepreneurs are moving to fill that need. Click here for details.