Pennsylvania Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup

Philadelphia PA Lawyer Talks About The Crime Victims Compensation Fund

2010-04-25T11:23:00.000-04:00

Sunday, April 25, 2010
Philadelphia PA Lawyer Talks About The Crime Victims Compensation Fund
A vastly underused source of funds is available for crime victims and their families, perhaps at the time when it is needed most. Many states have a Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

The Pennsylvania fund may cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, funeral expenses, money stolen or defrauded from individuals on a fixed income, such as Social Security or pension, counseling expenses, relocation expenses, childcare/home health care expenses and crime-scene clean up. The program does not cover pain and suffering or stolen or damaged property, except replacement of stolen or damaged medical devices.

The claim must be filed within two years of the date of the crime. A longer period applies if the victim is a child. In certain circumstances, family members of the crime victim may be eligible for compensation.

The crime must be reported to the proper authorities within three days. You must cooperate with law enforcement authorities investigating the crime, the courts and the Victims Compensation Assistance Program in processing the claim.

The Crime Victims Compensation fund is regarded as a payer of last resort. Payment will be reduced by the amount of any other source, including, but not limited to: health or life insurance, awards for civil lawsuits or insurance, Medical Assistance, Medicare, disability insurance, Workers' Compensation, or Social Security.

Most claims are processed within three months, but can take longer if the claim is complex.

The Pennsylvania Crime Victims Compensation Act became law in 1976. This fund consists of fines and penalties assessed against persons convicted of crimes. No general tax revenues of the state are used.

Pennsylvania department of health posts Shigella advisory

2010-04-13T10:04:00.001-04:00

Outbreaks of shigellosis have been reported in Philadelphia, Allegheny, Dauphin, and York counties. Special attention to cleanliness is urged in daycare centers, among school-age children, and young adults. "Shigella is highly contagious, and the recent outbreaks suggest that this organism is spreading in the Commonwealth." The recent warmer weather may be a factor in its spread as well.

Most Shigella infections are caused by two bacterial organisms, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. The Shigella bacteria pass from one infected person to the next. According to the CDC:

"Shigella are present in the diarrheal stools of infected persons while they are sick and for up to a week or two afterwards. Most Shigella infections are the result of the bacterium passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. This happens when basic hygiene and handwashing habits are inadequate and can happen during certain types of sexual activity. It is particularly likely to occur among toddlers who are not fully toilet-trained. Family members and playmates of such children are at high risk of becoming infected.
Shigella infections may be acquired from eating contaminated food. Contaminated food usually looks and smells normal. Food may become contaminated by infected food handlers who forget to wash their hands with soap after using the bathroom. Vegetables can become contaminated if they are harvested from a field with sewage in it. Flies can breed in infected feces and then contaminate food. Water may become contaminated with Shigella bacteria if sewage runs into it, or if someone with shigellosis swims in or plays with it (especially in splash tables, untreated wading pools, or shallow play fountains used by daycare centers). Shigella infections can then be acquired by drinking, swimming in, or playing with the contaminated water. Outbreaks of shigellosis have also occurred among men who have sex with men."
The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends that persons with diarrheal illness do not attend or visit group settings particularly where children are present. Suspected cases should be confirmed by stool testing, then initiation of antibiotic. Since the bacteria may still be present in recovered patients, "children and staff members with Shigella must have two negative stool cultures, obtained at least 48 hours after the last dose of antibiotic and at least 24 hours apart, prior to returning to child- care facilities. The same restrictions apply to persons with Shigella who are healthcare workers or employed as food handlers. "

The most important ways to prevent Shigella transmission are good handwashing habits, practicing good general hygiene, and keeping surfaces clean and disinfected.

"Any questions or concerns regarding these recommendations should be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH. Further information on shigellosis is available on the PADOH web site at www.health.state.pa.us or the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov."

Trauma Cleaning: Without Standards, The Pain Can Keep Coming

2010-03-12T16:56:00.000-05:00

by Kent Berg
National Institute Decontamination Specialist

As an instructor in crime and trauma-scene recovery and a board member of the American Bio-Recovery Association, I am often approached by attorneys, the public and insurance adjusters to evaluate the service they or their clients received from other crime-scene cleanup companies.

For the most part, these are just routine questions from people who want to make sure that the service they received was within the normal parameters of good practice. But a few times each month I receive calls that just cause my stomach to knot up and my blood to boil.

With the bio-recovery industry in its 14th year, it is mind-boggling to find individuals who still decide that they are going to start-up a new company and declare themselves “experts” in crime and trauma scene cleanup without any research or training.

It is even more outrageous to find that, although they know almost nothing about the science, chemistry, biology or laws of our industry, they are charging fees that are often four or five times the industry average.

The majority of those operating in the industry today are honest, ethical professionals. It’s the few bad apples in the bio-recovery barrel, so to speak, that amplify the problems tainting our industry.

Example 1: The Hit-and-Run Guys
A husband argues with his wife in their kitchen. As she prepares supper, he grabs a shotgun and, standing in the doorway between the kitchen and dining room, blows his head off.

It is still daylight when the police arrive. In order to see better, they open the brain-splattered dining room drapes. Splatter is on the dining room and kitchen walls, but since the body fell onto the vinyl tile floor of the kitchen, the largest amount of blood pooled there.

The family asks the police about scene cleanup, and is directed to a local company. The company tells the family that payment will have to be made in cash prior to starting the job, and that the family will not be allowed inside of the house while the cleaning process takes place.

The family agrees and stays with relatives until they get the call that the job is complete and they can return. The company is long gone, and upon cursory inspection, the rooms look contaminant-free.

It is now night and, in an effort to keep neighbors from seeing into the dining room, the wife pulls the drapes closed. To the horror of the family, the drapes had apparently never been checked and still have blood and brain matter clinging to the material.

The kitchen floor appears to be clean but, when the wife walks across the floor, bright red blood spurts up between the tiles, making little puddles and polka-dotting her shoes.

If this isn’t enough to re-traumatize the family, the wife goes to remove the now-cold pot of chili from the stove and promptly throws up when she sees a 3-inch piece of her husband’s skull nestled neatly atop the pot.

The family contacted the attorney general for their state, who then called me to review the family’s statements prior to a decision on prosecution.

Example 2: The Little-Extra-on-the-Side Guys
A man who lived alone died in his bed of natural causes, but wasn’t found for several weeks. When the authorities were finally called, the decomposition could be smelled from the street.

When a crime-scene-cleanup company was called in, the man’s relatives were told that the odor had permeated everything in the house with disease. Their recommendation was that everything in the house should be removed and destroyed.

The family, already nauseated from the smell, relied on the “professional opinion” of the technicians and agreed to let them remove everything from the good silver and china to the appliances.

In short, every piece of furniture, appliance, electronic component and fixture was removed because they were declared “not salvageable.”

The relatives were then presented with a bill for approximately $40,000! If this wasn’t obscene enough, a few weeks later the family found many of the home’s contents that were supposedly “not salvageable” being sold at a local flea market.

Example 3: The Cutting-Down-on-Overhead Guys
It is standard practice for crime and trauma-scene cleanup companies to dispose of human-blood-contaminated items that can’t be salvaged. They do this by red-bagging and boxing these items and sending them to a medical waste processing facility. This includes dismantling recliners, mattresses, and other large items to fit in these containers.

In this case, a company responded to a gunshot suicide in an apartment. The victim had sat in his favorite recliner and put a pistol in his mouth. The subsequent wound bled profusely until there was no more blood for the heart to pump. This resulted in the complete saturation of the recliner.

In an apparent effort to save on labor and disposal fees, the crew decided that they would dispose of the recliner by wrapping it in plastic, putting it in the back of their truck and then dumping it in the woods of a neighboring county.

All seemed to go well until a few days later, when hunters found the chair and called police. Thinking that they had stumbled upon evidence of a homicide, the police launched a full-scale investigation that lasted for weeks and logged many detective hours before they were actually able to review the crime scene photos of every police department in the surrounding counties.

When the mystery was finally attributed to this particular crime-scene-cleanup company, not only were they slapped with fines for littering, they were saddled with reimbursing the cost of the investigation. Every law enforcement agency that heard about this dropped the company like a hot potato, and the subsequent media attention tarnished the reputation of crime-scene-cleanup companies everywhere.

I would like to emphasize the fact that these complaints are not clients disappointed with a poorly painted wall or an out-of-true vanity top. These are abuses by unscrupulous companies that are subjecting their clients to financial greed, improper disinfection, and re-traumatizing that no one should have to endure.

Could training and certification eliminate these types of abuse? Perhaps a good portion of them, but in the end, it is the honesty and character of the companies themselves that should be monitored. I believe the way to do that is to pursue standards, as well as meeting with our state legislators to create specific regulations for our industry.

Teen Suicide: Experts tell what to look for, how to prevent it

2010-03-07T08:04:00.000-05:00

There are still several unknowns surrounding the Feb. 25 suicides of Gina Gentile and Vanessa Dorwart, but the teens’ decision to step in front of a speeding Amtrak train sent one very clear message to some experts,

“This was not a drama driven, woe-is-me call for help,” said Philip Rutter, psychologist and assistant professor at Widener University. “This was an exit strategy. … These were young women with a plan who wanted to make sure they died.”

Police say the Interboro High School sophomores planned their deaths and embraced one another before they were struck near the Norwood train station at 10:33 a.m. on a snowy Thursday morning.

That another classmate pleaded for Gentile, 16, and Dorwart, 15, to get off the tracks after deciding not to join them only fueled a story that quickly went national.

Those details, compelling as they might be, cannot recede quickly enough for parents and people who dedicate their lives to the study and prevention of suicide.

“My preference is that it not be covered at all but in a situation like this, where it probably can’t be avoided, you hope there will be some restraint,” said Tony Salvatore of Springfield, a suicide prevention specialist for Montgomery County Emergency Service, Inc. “If you are not channeling some of your energy and concern to prevention and education at a time like this, a terribly-sad event could turn into a long-term tragedy.

“People will just go on with their lives and not talk about it until something like this happens again.”

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, behind automobile accidents and homicides, and the sixth-leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year-olds, according to the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry.

It accounts for the deaths of approximately 4,000 teenagers per year.

Attempts and thoughts of suicide are far more common.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 14.5 percent of high school students seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months and 6.9 percent made at least one suicide attempt.

Studies have found attempts among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens are two to three times more prevalent than among heterosexuals.

“There are four risk factors we typically associate with teen suicide — hostility, negative self-concept, isolation and hopelessness,” Rutter said. “We should be concerned whenever a young person is exhibiting one of these stressors but when they’ve got two or three, we should be very worried about some type of self-injurious behavior.”

Warning signs could range from the giving away of prized possessions, loss of appetite and change in sleeping habits or personality to self-mutilation like cutting or branding to talk of suicide or death.

A founding member of the Delaware County Suicide Prevention and Awareness Task Force, Salvatore said everyone has different pressure points and triggers.

“We’re all different in terms of resilience and have different responses to our experiences, whether it’s an economic problem, losing someone or a relationship that’s gone bad,” he said.

Classmates have pointed to the recent death of another Interboro student as a possible trigger for Gentile and Dorwart’s actions but experts warn against trying to cite a specific incident or reason for suicide, saying the act is more often the result of a number of underlying problems and factors.

Without a strong support system, good coping skills or a sense of self-worth, teenagers can become susceptible to severe psychological pain that leads to suicidal feelings.

“Those feelings can grow into thoughts of hurting yourself, which can lead to a plan that eventually gives way to the how,” said Salvatore, who serves on the board of Survivors of Suicide, Inc.

“As a person goes from one stage to the next, it’s like the Richter Scale, with the second step being 10 times more serious than the first and third step 100 times more serious than the second.”

Rutter said many teenagers are unable to wait out a temporary crisis.

“The thing that is so tough about teen development is that it’s all about the immediacy of the moment,” he said. “If something catastrophic happens on a Tuesday, they believe the rest of their lives will be similarly catastrophic.

“It is outside their developmental experience to think, ‘With time, this pain will pass.’”

On his Web site, Kevin Caruso, executive director of Suicide.org, urges people with suicidal impulses not to take a permanent step to treat a temporary problem.

“If you are in intense emotional and/or physical pain, remember that your judgment is being clouded by that pain,” he writes. “If you are considering suicide, you are trying to end that pain. Please do not confuse ending your pain with ending your life. The two are very different.”

Salvatore said temporary psychological pain can lead to a dangerous case of tunnel vision.

“It’s not that they stop loving the people around them or stop caring for them or want to hurt them,” he said. “But after a while, the pain becomes the center of their existence and all they care about is finding a way to stop it.

“Suicide is not a decision, it’s the outcome of a process.”

There are approximately 33,000 suicides in the U.S. each year, most by adult white males and more than half involving firearms. Delaware County averages about 60 suicides per year, typically no more than a handful by teenagers.

While suicide pacts are extremely rare, clusters, in which one suicide is followed by others, are more prevalent. Last year, the city of Palo Alto, Calif. lost four teenagers to separate suicide-by-train incidents in a six-month period.

In February 2000, three students in the Rose Tree Media School district hanged themselves in a two-week period, one a 12-year-old Springton Middle School student.

The deaths of Gentile and Dorwart were an anomaly in many respects, the first being teenage girls, while more likely than boys to attempt suicide, are about four times less likely to kill themselves and, when they do, the method is rarely as violent as death-by-train.

Rutter believes parents should have unfettered access to their children’s social media sites and friends should take any mention of suicide or death seriously.

“Often it’s friends who are privy to this kind of behavior before anyone else,” he said. “They need to know how to support their peers and recognize the danger when they read a friend’s Facebook post that expresses dismay or talks about offing themselves.

“Teenagers don’t use the same type of soft, conceptual language as adults. They say, ‘It’s going to happen Tuesday at 2.’ A kid who reads something like that has got to be able to go to a parent and say, ‘I’m worried about my friend, Joey.’”

Salvatore said the number of suicides would fall dramatically if the warnings were always so obvious.

“Unfortunately, this stuff doesn’t show up on and X-ray and people can’t see a lot of it,” he said. “There’s no light that pops up on the forehead that says, ‘I’m at risk.’”

Salvatore, who co-authored a pamphlet entitled “What Teens Need to Know About Suicide,” said a small investment in prevention and education could save a lot of lives.

“We’re not talking about a huge amount of money,” he said. “Just a little more education in schools, a little more sensitivity, maybe a little more screening by physicians or something as simple as a sign when you’re sitting in that cubicle which says ‘Do you or any of your family have any of the following symptoms?”

He said suicide prevention programs can be effective, citing one instituted by the Air Force in the 1990s that lowered the rate from 15 per 100,000 people to 5 per 100,000 people within a few years.

Rutter has gone as far as to set up a mock viewing in therapy sessions where the person with suicidal thoughts is asked to lay down and listen while their family members speak of them as if they were dead.

“I think parents should use this (tragedy) to have a horribly difficult conversation that covers what suicide is, whether their kids have ever thought about it, and what can be done to take it off the table,” he said. “Rather than dissecting the hell out of these girls’ experiences, we should be focusing on what goes on in young men and women that makes them think dying would be better than working through their problems.”

Salvatore said the Gentile and Dorwart families may be able to rebuild their lives over time but they will never get over the loss of their daughters.

“Think back to the hours and days after 9/11 — that vulnerability and helplessness we all felt,” he said. “Now here we are, nine years later, and everyone has gotten past it except for families of the people who died or jumped out of those buildings.

“That’s what it’s going to be like for those parents in Norwood.”

By Saturday, a Facebook memorial page for the girls had attracted 10,000 members.

Rutter said the girl who decided not to join Gentile and Dorwart on the tracks showed a lot of strength.

“She probably feels awful but what courage it took for her to choose not to die,” he said. “She’s to be commended.”

The funeral Mass for Vanessa Dorwart was held Saturday at St. Gabriel Church in Norwood. The Mass for Gentile will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Saint Gabriel with viewing hours from 5-9 p.m. tonight and 9-10:15 a.m. Monday at Kevin M. Lyons Funeral Service in Glenolden.

Philadelphia PA Lawyer Talks About The Crime Victims Compensation Fund

2010-03-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

A vastly underused source of funds is available for crime victims and their families, perhaps at the time when it is needed most. Many states have a Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

The Pennsylvania fund may cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, funeral expenses, money stolen or defrauded from individuals on a fixed income, such as Social Security or pension, counseling expenses, relocation expenses, childcare/home health care expenses and crime-scene clean up. The program does not cover pain and suffering or stolen or damaged property, except replacement of stolen or damaged medical devices.

The claim must be filed within two years of the date of the crime. A longer period applies if the victim is a child. In certain circumstances, family members of the crime victim may be eligible for compensation.

The crime must be reported to the proper authorities within three days. You must cooperate with law enforcement authorities investigating the crime, the courts and the Victims Compensation Assistance Program in processing the claim.

The Crime Victims Compensation fund is regarded as a payer of last resort. Payment will be reduced by the amount of any other source, including, but not limited to: health or life insurance, awards for civil lawsuits or insurance, Medical Assistance, Medicare, disability insurance, Workers’ Compensation, or Social Security.

Most claims are processed within three months, but can take longer if the claim is complex.

The Pennsylvania Crime Victims Compensation Act became law in 1976. This fund consists of fines and penalties assessed against persons convicted of crimes. No general tax revenues of the state are used.

Appeals panel agrees that failure to read document doesn't null contract

2010-01-27T11:12:00.000-05:00

KEITH ARNOLD, Daily Reporter Staff Writer
A Franklin County appellate panel was unable to conclude that the Franklin County Municipal Court's determination in a breach of contract suit between a specialty home-cleaning service and the next of kin of a Grove City man who died in his home was against the manifest weight of the evidence in a recent decision.

"Upon our review of the record, we find no error in the trial court's determination that an enforceable contract existed between the parties," 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Patrick McGrath wrote for the 3-0 court.

The appellate court's holding overruled Nancy Buffington's claim that the trial court was mistaken to find that the contract between her and the cleaning service was enforceable and, therefore, obligated the woman to utilize the company's services per the agreed terms.

Buffington's father died in his home on Nov. 10, 2005, case summary provided. The man's body was discovered one-and-a-half to two days after his death. Approximately one week later, the personal belongings were removed from the home and it was listed for sale.

On Jan. 14, 2006, Buffington contracted for the services of Aftermath Inc., which provides biological remediation and cleanup services. According to the contract, the woman agreed to pay for cleanup services concerning an unattended death in the Grove City home.

Aftermath's complaint alleged that after the firm rendered services, appellant refused to pay the amount due under the contract. After a trial to the bench, the trial court concluded that a valid written contract existed between the parties and that the company was entitled to payment for the services rendered in accordance with the contract. The court awarded damages in the amount of $6,189.36 to Aftermath.

The panel noted Buffington signed both a site cleanup agreement and a fee agreement for non-insurance-related jobs. Additionally, the court rejected the woman's claim there existed no evidence that she understood or agreed to biological remediation of her father's home.

"... As noted by the trial court, appellant's stated failure to read the documents prior to signing them is of no consequence as it is well-established that the failure to read the terms of a contract is not a valid defense to enforcement of the contract," as in Haller v. Borror Corp. (1990), 50 Ohio St.3d 10, 14.

"Further, appellant's argument that she was 'mistaken' equally fails because 'relief for a unilateral mistake of material fact will not be provided where such mistake is the result of the negligence of the party seeking relief,'" as in Hikmet v. Turkoglu, 10th Dist. No. 08AP-1021, 2009-Ohio-6477, and Marshall v. Beach (2001), 143 Ohio App.3d 432, 437.

Fellow 10th District Judge Susan Brown and John Connor joined McGrath to form the majority.

The case is cited as Aftermath Inc. v. Buffington, 2010-Ohio-19.

Pennsylvania Leads Nation in Black Homicide Victimization

2010-01-26T15:07:00.001-05:00

For the third time in four years, Pennsylvania leads the nation in the rate of black homicide victimization. According to unpublished 2007 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data (the most recent available), the Keystone State's black homicide victimization rate of 36.36 Per 100,000 is nearly seven times the national overall homicide rate of 5.30 per 100,000.

This is the fourth year that my organization, the Violence Policy Center, has issued the study Black Homicide Victimization in the United States and the third time that Pennsylvania has ranked first. Additional states with black homicide victimization rates that place them in the top five are: Missouri at number two with a rate of 34.82 per 100,000; Indiana at number three with a rate of 30.89 per 100,000; and, Nevada and Wisconsin tied at number four with a rate of 29.83 per 100,000

As in past years, the study found overwhelmingly that firearms, usually handguns, were the weapon of choice in the homicides.

For the entire United States, the study found:

There were 7,387 black homicide victims in the United States. Of these, 6,345 (86 percent) were male, and 1,042 (14 percent) were female.

The homicide rate for black victims in the United States was 20.86 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall national homicide rate was 5.30 per 100,000 and the national homicide rate for whites was 3.11 per 100,000

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 82 percent of black victims (5,743 out of 7,011) were killed with guns. Of these, 73 percent (4,204 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 701 victims killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 247 victims killed by bodily force, and 200 victims killed by a blunt object.

For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 72 percent of black victims (2,474 out of 3,431) were murdered by someone they knew. Nine hundred fifty-seven victims were killed by strangers.

For homicides involving black victims for which the circumstances could be identified, 69 percent (3,023 out of 4,362) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 55 percent (1,669 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

Stating that "the devastation homicide inflicts on black teens and adults is a national crisis, yet it is all too often ignored outside of affected communities," the study concludes that for "blacks, like all victims of homicide, guns--usually handguns--are far and away the number one murder tool. Successful efforts to reduce America's black homicide toll must put a focus on reducing access to firearms."

Teen Suicide Risk Factors: Parents Are Too Often Clueless

2010-01-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

By Nancy Shute

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers, and it's a tragedy that can be prevented. Given that almost 15 percent of high school students say they've seriously considered suicide in the past year, parents and friends need to know how to recognize when a teenager is in trouble and how to help.

Parents can be clueless when it comes to recognizing suicide risk factors, or at least more clueless than teens. In a new survey of teenagers and parents in Chicago and in the Kansas City, Kan., area, which appears online in Pediatrics, both parents and teenagers said that teen suicide was a problem, but not in their community. Alas, teen suicide is a universal problem; no area is immune.

The teenagers correctly said that drug and alcohol use was a big risk factor for suicide, with some even noting that drinking and drug use could be a form of self-medication or self-harm. By contrast, many of the parents shrugged off substance abuse as acceptable adolescent behavior. As one parent told the researchers: "Some parents smoke pot with their kids or allow their kids to drink."

Both teenagers and parents said that guns should be kept away from a suicidal teen. But since parents said they didn't think they could determine when a teenager was suicidal, parents should routinely lock up firearms, the researchers suggest. That makes sense. Firearms are used in 43.1 percent of teen suicides, according to 2006 data, while suffocation or hanging accounts for 44.9 percent.

The good news: Both parents and teenagers in this small survey (66 teenagers and 30 parents) said they'd like more help learning how to know when someone is at risk of committing suicide and what to do. Schools and pediatricians should be able to help, but we can all become better educated through reliable resources on the Web. These authoritative sites list typical signs of suicide risk, and they also provide questions a parent or a friend can ask a teenager to find out if he is considering killing himself. Here are good places to start:

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry lists signs and symptoms of suicidal thinking, such as saying things like "I won't be a problem for you much longer."

The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to ask the child directly about suicide. "Getting the word out in the open may help your teenager think someone has heard his cries for help."

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free advice to someone considering suicide, as well as to friends and relatives, at 800-273-TALK.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness's teenage suicide page makes the point that talking with someone about suicide will not "give them the idea." "Bringing up the question of suicide and discussing it without showing shock or disapproval is one of the most helpful things you can do," the NAMI site says. "This openness shows that you are taking the individual seriously and responding to the severity of his or her distress."

Crime Scene Cleanup: What It Involves

2009-05-13T23:16:00.000-04:00

A crime scene cleanup service is not without its complications. Crime scene cleaning encompasses restoring the crime scene to its original state. When a crime is usually discovered, crime scene cleaners are not called until after officers of the law, like the crime scene investigators, have done their jobs first and have given the go ahead for the cleaners to come in. If you intend to hire a crime scene cleanup company, you must make sure that they are well equipped and fit right to get the job done. A crime scene presents challenging conditions.

The Use Of Protective Gears:
Crime scenes can very well involve the use of hazardous or deadly substances. For safety reasons then, it has become imperative that crime scene cleaners use protective clothing, in addition to protective tools and gadgets. You must see to it that they have all the necessary protective gears and gadgets. The protective clothing can consist of disposable gloves and suits. A disposable gear is preferred nowadays since it offers the best protection against contamination. You use it one time and get rid of it. That way, the dangers of contamination is virtually brought down to zero percent. Protective clothing extends to respirators and the use of heavy-duty industrial or chemical-spill protective boots.

Among the gadgets that a crime scene cleaning company must have are special brushes, special sprayers, and wet vacuum. These special tools ensure added protection against getting into contact with the hazard could very well be present in the crime scene. There is large, special equipment such as a mounted steam injection tool that is designed to sanitize dried up biohazard materials such as scattered flesh and brain. You would also need to check if they have the specialized tank for chemical treatments and industrial strength waste containers to collect biohazard waste.

Of course, any crime scene clean up must have the usual cleaning supplies common to all cleaning service companies. There are the buckets, mops, brushes and spray bottles. For cleaning products, you should check if they use industrial cleaning products. A crime scene cleaning company must have these on their lists:

1 - Disinfectants including hydrogen peroxide and bleaches - The kinds that the hospitals used are commonly acceptable.

2 - Enzyme solvers for cleaning blood stains. It also kills viruses and bacteria.

3 - Odor removers such as foggers, ozone machines, and deodorizers

4 - Handy tools for breaking and extending such as saws, sledgehammers, and ladders

Established crime scene operators also equip themselves with cameras and take pictures of the crime scene before commencing work which. The pictures taken may prove useful for legal matters and insurance purposes. You never know which.

Needless to say, a specially fitted form of transportation and proper waste disposal is also needed. These requirements are specific. As you can imagine, crime scene cleaning is in a different category on its own. A home cleaning or janitorial service company may not be able to cope up with the demands of a crime scene. A crime scene cleanup service requires many special gears and tools that a home cleaning or a janitorial service company does not usually have or does not require. Crime scene cleaning if not done correctly can expose the public to untold hazards.

What Else To Look For In A Crime Scene Cleanup Company
You may also want to hire a company that has established itself. An experienced company with a strong reputation is always a plus but it could be expensive too. You will do well to balance your needs with what is your budget. There are several companies that offer specific prices such as for death scene clean up categories and suicide clean up categories. Most companies own a website and have round the clock customer service as receptionists.

When looking for a suitable crime scene cleaning service, among the first things you need to do is to scout for price quotes. Crime scene cleanup services usually provide quote after they have examined the crime scene and then they give you a definite quote. Factors that are usually considered include the number of personnel that will be needed to get the job done. It also includes the amount of time that might be needed. The nature and amount of the waste materials that need to be disposed will also be factored in. You can be sure that the more sophisticated equipments needed the more expensive it will get.

Crime Scene Cleanup And Your Insurance
For homeowners, the best approach is always to make sure that crime scene cleanup services clauses and provisions are written down on the contracts or policies. The inclusion of crime cleanup services clauses is very common and has become standard clause in most homeowner’s policy. Make sure that you are covered for this unforeseen event. Make sure that your policy directs the crime scene cleaning company to transact directly with the homeowner insurance company. A crime scene cleaning service is usually a standard clause in many homeowners’ insurance clause. These companies often do the paperwork in behalf of clients.

If for some reason you do not have such coverage by any policies relating to crime scene cleanup on your home, there are ways to keep your expenses controlled.

Finding the right company can be very taxing, especially that you have to deal with the emotional stress stemming from the crime itself, especially with a crime scene involving death.

There are many crime scene cleanup companies in operation nowadays. There are reliable professionals that you can hire and prices are relatively competitive. As of recently, crime-scene cleanup services can cost up to $600 for an hour of their service. A homicide case alone involving a single room and a huge amount of blood can cost about $1,000 to $3,000.

In recent years, crime scene cleaning has come to be known as, "Crime and Trauma Scene Decontamination or CTS. Basically, CTS is a special form of crime scene cleaning focusing on decontamination of the crime scene from hazardous substances such as those resulting from violent crimes or those involving chemical contaminations such as methamphetamine labs or anthrax production. This type of service is particularly common when violent crimes are committed in a home. It is rare that the residents move out of the home after it has become a scene of a crime. Most often, the residents just opt to have it cleaned up. That is why, it is very important to hire the best crime scene cleaning company out there. The place needs to be totally free from contamination of any kind. You have to make sure that the company is able to remove all traces of the violent crime that took place. This includes cleaning biohazards that are sometimes invisible to the untrained eye.

Legally speaking, federal laws state that all bodily fluids are deemed biohazards and you should make sure that the cleanup service company you hire understands this and includes it in the cleanup. These things appear as blood or tissue splattered on a crime scene. You must be able to hire a company that is equipped with special knowledge to safely handle biohazard materials. The company must have the knowledge what to search for in any give biohazard crime scene. For instance, the company should be able to tell clues such that if there is a bloodstain the size of a thumbnail on a carpet, you can bet that there is about a huge bloodstain underneath. Federal and State laws have their own laws in terms of transport and disposal of biohazard waste. Make sure that the company you hire has all the permits necessary.

It will also be a huge plus if you could hire people who not only has the special trainings but also who have the nature to be sympathetic. If you are close to the victim and have the cleaning done at the behest of the victim’s relatives, it would matter that the cleaners tread the site with some level of respect. It is a common site that family members and loved ones are often there at scene. In general, when looking for a suitable crime scene cleaners, you would take into considerations the kind of situation that the crimes scene presents and the demands that it require. Crime scene cleaning companies handle a wide variety of crime scenes and prices may vary from one to the other crime scene and one to the other company.

Each type of scene requires its own particular demands not only to make the crime scene look clean and neat on the surface but to make it germ free, and clean inside and to make it free from all deadly and infectious substances. The cleanup cost for biohazards may vary depending on degree of the bio hazard(s) on the scene. There may even be a category that changes the cleanup pricing which usually involves decomposing bodies and carcasses. Likewise, a cleanup of chemical hazards vary, depending on the amount of chemical hazards as well as the grades i.e. how hazardous the substance is in terms of human contact. Prices are also determined by the number of hours and personnel that it would to get the crime scene cleaned. In addition, the "gross factor" from crime scene involving death and gore needs to be taken under consideration regarding the chemicals that will be used as opposed to those crimes' that do not have gore involved.

Dentist Accused Of Dumping Medical Waste To Stand Trial

2009-05-08T20:02:00.000-04:00

A dentist from Montgomery County, accused of dumping medical waste in the Jersey shore, has lost his bid to avoid trial. Today a judge rejected Thomas McFarland Junior's request to be accepted into a pretrial intervention program. That would have spared him jail time.

McFarland's attorney says his client was depressed and suffering from mental illness because his wife had cancer. But prosecutors say the need to assure the public that New Jersey beaches are safe outweighs McFarland's personal matters.

Traumatic Grief

2009-05-06T10:39:00.000-04:00

By Nancy Crump

Since the late 1980’s, we have seen an increase in interest and research on the effects of trauma on the grief process. We have learned that the grief process from the sudden, unexpected, and often violent deaths of suicide, homicide, auto accidents, natural disasters, and other types of deaths, is very different from the grief process of those who have died from natural causes, old age, or long-termed illness. Many, if not all, of the deaths faced by Bio Technicians fall into the category of traumatic. Those family members who hire you have usually been touched by the trauma of the death. Understanding the traumatic grief process and its differences from other types of grief may be of some help to you as you deal with these family members.

There are several key elements that make the responses by family members to a traumatic death difficult. First is the suddenness of the death. Family members usually did not have time to prepare themselves for the death and to make the psychological adjustments to cope with the news of the death. Also, the suddenness of the death does not give the family an opportunity to say goodbye to the victim before their death. Second, the violence of the death may leave the family with horrific memories and nightmares that often interfere with the grief process. Third, many of these types of deaths require police intervention and the family is often not given the support, information, and compassion they need at the time. Another element can be the presence of the media at the time of the death, as well as weeks and months later if legal issues follow the death. Most traumatic deaths involve young people who’s parents, grandparents, and siblings may still live. Certainly, the death of a child or young person is very difficult to cope with.

Reactions to a traumatic death can be very different, more intense, and longer lasting than other types of death. The emotions following a traumatic death are often conflicting and intense. There is a tendency to relive the death event over and over in an attempt to make it real. Intrusive thoughts and nightmares are very common. Intense physical responses such as inability to eat or sleep, stomach aches and headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and a decrease in the autoimmune system are also common. Many times, the survivors must deal with intense feelings of guilt or remorse, feeling that they were somehow responsible or could have prevented the death “if only”. Family members have the need to tell the story of the death over and over again in an attempt to gain a sense of the reality of the death. They often have an overwhelming need to learn all they can about the circumstances of the death - how the person died, whether they were in pain, did they know they were dying, what were their last words, who saw what happened, and in cases of homicide, who committed the murder. All of these reactions are ways the survivors use to grasp the reality of the death and to begin the grief process.

As Bio Technicians, you are often called by family members or meet them upon arrival to the scene. Understanding some of the dynamics of trauma on the grief process may help as you help the family. Understanding the “normalcy” of the reactions you may see can help you feel more competent and assured to speak with family members without wondering whether or not you are saying the “right” thing. Some suggestions are listed below, but the most important thing is to convey sincerity and compassion to the family. They are very vulnerable and sensitive to words, expressions, and body language. Just make sure that what you say and do is congruent with how you feel or you will come across as insincere and uncaring.

Soon after a traumatic death, most survivors simply need to tell the story to anyone who will listen. It is important for their recovery to be able to do this. If you have time to listen, do so. They are not necessarily looking for any input from you; they just need someone to listen.

Remember that there are two basic rules for grieving people – you don’t hurt yourself or someone else. If, during the conversation, you hear comments that indicate the person is thinking of either, you might suggest they go talk to someone else before making a decision to do something like this. Create a list of counselors, therapists, or mental health centers to hand out at times like these. Take comments about thoughts of suicide seriously and offer to call a friend or family member to be with the person and get them help. Suicide rates often increase after a sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. These are very difficult situations for you as a caregiver, but you need to set limits as to what you can and cannot do. Listening and having resources available are all you need. The survivor needs to take some responsibility for them, and others who are better trained to handle these situations need to be contacted.

Although many reactions may look and feel “crazy”, most are normal reactions to the situation. Again, as long as they don’t hurt themselves or someone else, they are probably reacting normally to an abnormal situation. Helping normalize these reactions is very helpful to the survivor. Encouraging the survivor to talk and to express what they are experiencing is also helpful. Making a simple statement such as, “I think I’d feel the same way if this happened to me”, helps the survivor feel less out of control.

There are many support groups available to survivors that would make a good resource for them. Creating a list of those in your community or in nearby communities is a great gift for survivors. They may not want to attend a support group, but usually someone from the group is always willing to talk to them by telephone or offer assistance.

In the work you do, you may find yourself in situations of dealing with survivors who have needs you do not feel comfortable or competent in dealing with. That’s okay as it is not your responsibility to be all things to all people. However, there are these simple steps you can take to help your families in a meaningful way. You can listen. You can refer. You can offer resources. Having some general knowledge of the traumatic grief process may make you feel more competent in dealing with your families and knowing that you are being supportive and helpful in a meaningful way.

Below are some national organizations that offer support groups in almost every locality. They are specific to either the type of death or the relationship to the person who died and are more appropriate to traumatic deaths. They all have web sites or central telephone numbers that can be contacted for local information.

The Compassionate Friends – for parents’ whose child has died of any cause.
MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Drivers offer support for parents who a drunk driver killed child
Widowed Persons Service – sponsored by AARP for spousal death
SOS – Survivors of Suicide support groups
POMC – Parents of Murdered Children and other victims of homicide.

These and many other groups may be listed at your county’s Victim Assistance Office usually located in the office of the District Attorney. Also, check with your local hospices or hospitals. They offer support groups that are open to the public. Some local churches may also host support groups. As you create your list, don’t try to keep up with the dates and times of group meetings as they change frequently. All you need is the name of the group, a telephone number, and possibly a contact person. Leave it to the survivors to take the responsibility to make the calls on their own behalf.

RELEASE: Statement from Town and Gown Players

2009-04-26T18:43:00.000-04:00

ATHENS (MyFOX ATLANTA) - The three people we lost yesterday were a part of the rich 50-year history of this theater and, more than that, were vital members of the Town and Gown family.

Ben Teague, loving husband of UGA's Dr. Fran Teague for more than 40 years, was not only a friend but also a father figure to all at the theater. One would be hard pressed to find a Town and Gowner who had not learned at least one life lesson from this wise and kind hearted man. His wife wishes to say, "Yesterday Ben was murdered, which is hard to comprehend and impossible to accept. It was a beautiful day, however, and he was in his favorite place with the people he loved." Ben was a translator of German, Russian and English.

Marie Bruce was the binding force that held the Town and Gown community together. Having worked with Town and Gown for over 20 years, at one time or another she served in every capacity at the theater, artistically and administratively, from leading lady to president of the board to chief cook and bottle washer. A local attorney, Marie was the mother of two young children.

A gentle presence, Tom Tanner breathed life into every corner of Town and Gown through his quiet diligence and astounding creativity - most would call him genius. Father of an equally amazing daughter, Tom would tell you that while he enjoyed his work as director of the Regional Dynamics Economic Modeling Laboratory at Clemson University, his heart lived and thrived in the theater.

Ben, Marie and Tom were a part of our family, and as painful as their loss is for us, we know it is even more painful for their families. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to their immediate family and close friends outside the theater community. There are no words we can use to adequately express our grief.

We would like to thank the Athens Police department and the media for their respectful treatment of this tragedy. We want to thank the American Bio Recovery Association and A1 BIO-Clean Service for the generous donation of their services in our time of need. We also want to thank the Athens Community for their support. This tragedy effects everyone in the community in some way, and we know you share in our loss. We ask that the media continue to be respectful of our privacy during this difficult time.

Custodian’s stress-disorder suit restored

2009-04-22T09:23:00.001-04:00

Meghann M. Cuniff / Staff writer
The Spokesman-Review

A custodian who sued her school district after being forced to clean up the bloody scene of a student’s suicide had her lawsuit reinstated Tuesday by the Washington Court of Appeals.

Debbie Rothwell, who still works at Lakeside High School in Nine Mile Falls, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a lawsuit filed in May 2007 by her lawyer, William Powell, of Spokane. The 16-year-old student shot himself in the head inside the school’s main entrance in 2004. The lawsuit was dismissed in January 2008 by Spokane County Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt, who ruled the incident was covered by the Industrial Insurance Act.

But the Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 ruling, disagreed and reinstated the suit.

“There are people who do clean up the mess after one of these horrible murders or suicides happen,” Powell said Tuesday, referring to private professionals. “But the superintendent in this case chose not to do that. He should have known better.”

Along with former Superintendent Michael Green, now superintendent of the Woodland School District in Western Washington, the lawsuit names the Nine Miles Falls School District, Stevens County Sheriff Craig Thayer, two sheriff’s detectives and an unidentified man as defendants.

None was available for comment. Like most civil suits in Washington, the complaint seeks unspecified damages.

Rothwell’s complaints center around her task of cleaning up the suicide scene, then being asked to move a backpack she later learned belonged to the victim and contained a suspicious device that authorities detonated using a robot.

She stayed at work until after 4 a.m., cleaning the mess of blood, brain and bone alone, becoming “emotionally distraught and physically ill” before returning to the school less than four hours later at Green’s orders to serve cookies and coffee to grieving students and keep the media from the school, according to the suit.

At issue in the court decisions was whether Rothwell’s claim of post-traumatic stress disorder fell under the industrial injury act, which prohibits lawsuits based on industry injury or occupational disease.

Judges John A. Schultheis and Dennis J. Sweeney ruled it didn’t because it wasn’t the result of one work order. Her trauma grew over several days, according to their written opinion. Judge Teresa C. Kulik dissented.

A grisly business

2009-04-15T21:27:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's gruesome. Often it's traumatic. But someone has to clean up after murders. In America one woman and her team are glad to help. Julian Borger on the squad in white suits who see it all

The scene is familiar from a thousand cop shows and news bulletins. The chalk outline where the body lay. Yellow tape marking off the scene, and the flashing red lights as the ambulance pulls away. But what we never see is what happens next. In the wake of each brutal murder or desperate suicide, who stays behind to clear up the mess?
That is what Becky Della-Rodolfa wanted to know when a policewoman friend described a particularly nasty day at work on the troubled streets of Philadelphia.

"I said: 'Did you clean it up?'," Della-Rodolfa recalls. "She laughed at me, and she said: 'Are you kidding? The family cleans it up.' And that seemed so sad to me."

Sad, and commercially intriguing. Della-Rodolfa had a business degree and had had enough working for a government debt recovery department, sending in the bailiffs to bankrupt small enterprises. Here was the chance of filling a market niche, being her own boss, and perhaps sparing bereaved families some agony along the way.

Less than four years later, she is one of the partners in Trauma Scene Restoration, with up to 17 workers on call, ready to don white bio-hazard suits, gloves and rubber gas masks, and do what no one else is prepared to do. They will mop up the blood, scrape away human tissue, rip up floorboards, knock through walls, and restore everything until you would never guess anyone had died.

In Britain this unpleasant task is normally carried out by the police, but in the US, with a much higher rate of violent crime, the police are increasingly unwilling to handle more than they strictly need for evidence. So an industry is emerging to fill the gap, with more than 200 firms across the nation. The burgeoning business now has its own lobby group, the American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA). It held its first convention in September in Las Vegas, where bio-recovery entrepreneurs schmoozed, swapped grisly tales and agreed to push Washington towards legislating federal standards. "We want to be regulated like any other industry," says Ron Gospodarski, ABRA's president. He is worried about the spread of cowboy outfits with no training and no safety regulations, who bulldoze their way into the homes of bereaved families.

Della-Rodolfa calls them "bleach-bottle companies" because "they just pour bleach over everything". Trauma Scene Restoration uses more sophisticated chemicals and enzymes. They arrive on the scene in a discreet white van, whereas the nearest competition in Baltimore parks outside in a bright red lorry emblazoned with the words: Crime Scene Cleanup. Unsurprisingly, the press are seldom far behind.

The delicate dilemma facing Trauma Scene Restoration was how to avoid being so crass, yet spread the word that the service existed. As Justin Jaconi, one of the company's white-suited cleaners, puts it: "What are we gonna say? 'If you die - call us?' It's one of those things - if you hear about it you hope you never have to use it."

In the end the new firm opted to place an advertisement in the Yellow Pages under house-cleaning, and Della-Rodolfa goes to police detectives conventions cvarrying golf tees inscribed with the firm's slogan - Restoring The Scene And Peace of Mind. "A lot of detectives and medical examiners play golf," she explains. This year, the firm is even sponsoring a police golf tournament.

Once ABRA has established itself, Della-Rodolfa expects it to start winning the big contracts - universities, hotel chains, the US postal service (in recent years a byword for murderous rampages by disgruntled employees) - who need a company they can trust on standby, to make the mess disappear in the event of "incidents".

Everyone in this business could spend all day reciting from the litany of horror stories which constitute their careers. If it isn't nasty they don't get called. Ron Gospodarski was summoned one night by a New York fast-food restaurant. There had been an argument in the queue. Someone got shoved and returned with a gun to shoot four people dead.

"There were blood smears along the walls and bullet holes everywhere, but the restaurant owner got us in straight away. As the medical examiners got through with each section, we moved in there, and the place was open the next day," he says.

Last week, Trauma Scene's van was outside a two-storey white house in south Philadelphia. A 300lb man, a recluse, had died in his home surrounded by the grimy bric-a-brac he had been buying from flea-markets for the past 15 years. There was plumbing, welding equipment, televisions and unidentifiable junk piled up to the ceiling in every room. The house was filthy and a pack of cats roamed at will.

By the time Della-Rodolfa reached the scene, the cats had gone and the main challenge was an infestation of maggots and cockroaches. She had to open the refrigerator, throw an insecticide canister in like a hand grenade and slam the door shut. "That was a screamer," she says, shivering at the memory.

Outside on the street, Justin Jaconi, a former demolition worker who by now is a 19-year-old veteran of putrid human debris, is talking about how to deal with the psychological hurdles involved in the job. He says: "You can't sit there and think: 'Well that sucks for that person'. If you sit there and think about it, you're going to get yourself into a bad situation."

The main challenge is to avoid either vomiting or weeping. On one of her first jobs, Della-Rodolfa started crying uncontrollably. "I just started looking at pictures of the family. The others were looking and telling me: 'Stop crying' but I just couldn't. I started to personalise it. Now I try not to look at the pictures. If they're tempting you, take them off the wall and turn them upside down."

Can there be possibly be a worse job anywhere? Della-Rodolfa does not see it that way. Firstly, Trauma Scene Restoration turned a small profit in its first year - unusual for a new small business. But more importantly, she insists, she is providing a service people desperately need at their worst imaginable moments.

"How can you walk away from the scene when the family is begging you for help? One of the first jobs I was on, the mother just hugged me for 10 minutes and kept telling me: 'You're like an angel.' People always ask me: 'How could you do it?', but it's more like 'How could you not?'"

Cleanup completed at Civic Association

2009-04-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

April 5, 2009

Cleanup has been completed at the American Civic Association building in Binghamton, where a gunman killed 13 people and injured four before taking his own life Friday.

The American Bio-Recovery Association, a non-profit international association of crime and trauma scene professionals, said Sunday that the bio-recovery cleaning was complete. The Ipswich, Mass.-based group provided the service at no cost.

Two member companies, Disaster Clean Up of Endwell and the Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York City, donated labor and supplies to remediate the scene with a crew of six technicians.

Bio-Recovery Corporation Aids In Binghamton Crime Scene Cleanup

2009-04-05T23:02:00.001-04:00

PRESS RELEASE
April 5th 2009

Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York City and Diaster Scene Cleanup of Endwell, NY responded to the American Civic Association on April 5th 2009 at the request of the American Bio-Recovery Association to aid the American Civic Association and the entire Binghamton community with the cleanup of the crime scene left in the aftermath of Fridays multiple homicide, suicide at their offices located at 131 Front St Binghamton, NY.

At the request of Dale Cillian, President of the non profit American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA), the two named companies above provided all the labor and equipment to complete this cleanup in one day at no cost to the American Civic Association. "I couldn't have done this without you guys," stated Andrew Baranoski, Executive Director of the non-profit American Civic Association.

The American Bio Recovery Association, an international association of Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup professionals strives to make these services available to all that require it throughout the United States.

Carpet cleaners clean more than just carpets

2009-03-30T17:24:00.001-04:00

FALLS CREEK
©Courier-Express/Tri-County 2009

A decision to spend more time with their children led to a new career for Bob and Debbie Hrin. While having her own carpets professionally cleaned, Debbie Hrin thought that was a field the two could pursue and make people happy, and Carpet Spa was born. They had no idea that their plan would lead them beyond cleaning carpets, to helping people get their lives back in order after floods and cleaning up after crimes.

To initially start, the couple went to Pittsburgh for a week of training to learn how to clean carpets and upholstery, but it wasn't long before they began to expand their services and become certified in a number of other areas including biorecovery, fire clean-up and structural drying. The two attend training sessions regularly to stay up-to-date.

The school they attended in Pittsburgh set them up with a supplier, who is always available to answer questions about how to get different types of stains out.
Bob Hrin became nationally certified in biorecovery, which is pretty unique to this area, since in the past crews have had to be called in from miles away to clean up, he said.

This field requires a certain type of person since the person may be cleaning up after a traumatic event such as a crime or a serious injury. "About a year ago, I saw a need for it and felt it was something I could do," Bob Hrin said. He does have part-time people, that he trained, that help him out. It's important to be able to detach yourself from the situation when doing this type of work.
It requires specialized training on how to deal with the situation, as well as learning what may need to be reported because it could be important to the investigation. If a body is in the home for a few days before it is found, there can also be dangerous airborne pathogens present that can be breathed in, so proper precautions needed to be taken, such as wearing a face mask.
People often aren't aware of the dangers of what they can come in contact with in these situations.

To become certified in biorecovery, Bob Hrin had to learn how to disinfect for viruses and learn about the decomposition of the body. The Hrins' goal is to get things back to normal as quickly as possible for people, whether it is while doing biorecovery or structural drying.

One time, a family had been out of town for a few days and their pipes froze. It was discovered on Christmas, leading to water everywhere.The Hrins told the family to go and enjoy Christmas at a relatives' house and they worked to get everything cleaned up. In four days, the house was dry and back to normal. "You can dry out a house without tearing everything apart," Debbie Hrin said. There are machines that will dry the walls through dry wall, so the walls don't have to be torn down.
Another job required Carpet Spa to remove 15,000 gallons of water from an office building. It dried out within five days without carpets being ripped out and everything taken apart after a pipe broke. And when a second pipe broke, they went in and cleaned that up, as well.

Time is of the essence with water because the quicker the response, the less damage, and the quicker the situation is under control, Bob Hrin said. But you also have to be careful when drying out an area, because if you dry it too quickly, there can be secondary damage from condensation.

An environment that mold doesn't like has to be created, Debbie Hrin said.
Being a firefighter for the last 24 years, Bob Hrin knows first hand the mess that can be left after a fire so Carpet Spa does fire restoration, as well.
It helps to know the type of fire, whether it is a natural, synthetic or protein (food), because that determines what needs to be used on the walls, rugs and furniture to clean it. If it's a wood fire, or natural fire, that is the simplest to clean. Synthetic is the most difficult because it is oil based, Debbie Hrin said. But before they even do that, the rooms need to be dried out since usually the fire department has sprayed water into the room to put out the fire.

As a family-owned business, Carpet Spa tries to go above and beyond what is expected. "We've gone to bat for customers a lot to make sure they get what they are entitled to from their insurance company," Bob Hrin said. People being taken advantage of bothered Bob Hrin when he was a mechanic and it bothers him in the carpet business, too. "We like to see people get more for their buck," Bob Hrin said. "We always try to do a little extra, such as cleaning the throw rugs." Their priority is customer satisfaction.

Although they don't always work regular hours after an emergency, the Hrins' also clean carpets and tile by appointment and can set the times.Carpet Spa has cleaned tile and carpets in factories, restaurants, hotels and churches. For many carpet and upholstery jobs, hot water is all that is needed. Unlike many other companies, Bob and Debbie Hrin have a machine that cleans the carpet, rather than using a wand. The carpet dries in about an hour. Hot water is the most effective cleaner, but they also use a mild detergent on rugs that is safe for people and pets. People don't realize that it doesn't cost that much more to have someone do it professionally then it does to rent a machine. And if they do it themselves and there is a soap residue left behind, dirt will be attracted to it and a month later it will look worse then it does originally, Debbi Hrin said.

Death's a messy business ... somebody's got to clean it up. Hey, it's a living.

2009-03-23T12:01:00.001-04:00

By DANA DiFILIPPO
Philadelphia Daily News

difilid@phillynews.com 215-854-5934

GOBS OF GORE, the stench of decomposing flesh and maggots squirming in dead bodies would make most people run, retching, the other way.

Not Tom Rohling.

The Reading man runs Tragic Solutions, a crime-scene cleanup company based in North Jersey. Rohling removes all toxic traces of suicides, homicides and other messy tragedies from the homes and businesses where they occurred.

"As bizarre as it sounds, I like it - I like to help people, and this does help a lot of people," said Rohling, a retired homicide detective who started his business about six years ago.

In an economy in which few careers seem recession-proof, crime-scene cleanup is one industry that's booming.

The burdens and blessings - yes, there are some - of the business are featured in a new movie, "Sunshine Cleaning," which opened last weekend.

But, although the movie's lead character, Rose, transforms herself overnight from unhappy maid to calamity-cleaner/crisis-counselor, experts warn that that path into the profession is perilous.

"This stuff is easy to learn and hard to master," said Dale Cillian, president of the industry's trade group, the American Bio-Recovery Association.

Cillian owns an Arizona crime-scene cleanup company, which he opened in 1985, and which he claims is the "world's oldest."

"I run into things, after 24 years, that I've never seen before," said Cillian, a retired Phoenix firefighter. "You could go out and do this tomorrow with some Windex and paper towels. But that's disaster; you're endangering yourself and your customer."

Some infectious diseases are more virulent than ever, making scenes potentially lethal for those with a stomach steely enough to grapple with the gore, experts say. That means trauma cleaners should, at a minimum, be professionally trained in how to safely contain, clean and dispose of blood-borne pathogens, experts agree.

Some blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis B, can live in the blood even when the blood is outside the body and has dried, medical experts agree.

And bodily fluids have a way of permeating surfaces, so that even "small" scenes could require cleaners to rip out walls, floors, carpets, appliances and other things.

"Most building materials are porous," said Donna Jaconi, whose Philadelphia-based cleanup company was featured in a 2002 documentary called "Family Values." "So if you have a double homicide, all that blood's got to go somewhere - I've seen plaster walls absorb blood up to the ceiling.

"Shotgun suicides are the worst," added Jaconi, who sold her business in 2004 but still processes crime scenes as a Philadelphia police officer. "It's all through the room, up on the ceiling fan, under counters, on doorknobs."

Cillian agreed: "You could have a piece of skull five rooms down the hall."

Rohling likened trauma cleanup to "peeling layers off an onion: You keep cleaning until you don't find anything."

When cleaning a bedroom in which a man died and wasn't discovered for days, Rohling said, "I had to pull the wood floor up, then the subfloor, then the Sheetrock from the apartment below. A general rule is: The longer the body's been there, the bigger the mess."

Such scenes can require a technological trove of gear to sanitize, such as black lights that show bodily fluids invisible to the eye, thermal and ozone foggers to kill germs in the air and double-filter respirators to protect workers.

But some cleaners also employ decidedly unscientific methods to find contaminants.

"I do a 'squish test,' " said Bob O'Connor, owner of Philadelphia-based Trauma Scene Restoration. "You step on the floor and see if blood comes out between the tongue-and-groove flooring."

Jaconi's secret weapon: hydrogen peroxide.

"When you spray peroxide, it bubbles up if there's blood or bodily fluids," Jaconi said.

With homicide rates relatively steady and suicide rates climbing nationally and locally, trauma cleaning is a career with longevity - especially considering that firearms are the preferred method of people who kill themselves and others.

"It's something that people are always going to need," said Benjamin Lichtenwalner, a Marine and Iraq war veteran who opened his crime-scene cleanup company, Biotrauma Inc., in Georgia with a military buddy about three years ago.

But experts warn that such industry growth has drawn greedy ghouls looking to exploit grieving families at their most vulnerable time.

Experts suggest that mourners ask for a company's qualifications and recommendations before hiring.

Cillian's group requires that members adhere to stringent training; it counts about 70 cleanup companies nationally as members.

Tidying up after a tragedy can get expensive, sparking outcry from some victims' relatives.

"I feel taken advantage of, and I think it's a sham. They robbed me," said George Rohanna, who paid more than $2,500 for O'Connor to clean up his South Philadelphia rowhouse after his son killed himself and his girlfriend there last year.

But cleaners say that the high costs of training, insurance, equipment, waste disposal and other needs drive their rates. A shotgun suicide can cost $3,000, O'Connor said.

"If you get an invoice for $1,000, something's too good to be true," said Rohling, whose rates have ranged from $750 to $25,000, depending on the magnitude of the mess.

Further, most insurance companies and victim-assistance groups will foot the cleanup bill.

And do-it-yourselfers could come to regret not hiring a professional, cleaners warn.

"You can't just wipe up what you see, because come May or June when the weather warms, you'll be like: 'What the heck's that smell? Where are all those flies and maggots coming from?' " O'Connor said.

Despite the disgust that many people hold for the profession, many cleaners find it fulfilling.

"I've sat at the kitchen table with a woman whose husband committed suicide, and she cried for an hour with me," Rohling said. "You become a sort of counselor, a shoulder to lean on."

Lichtenwalner agreed: "We help make things better after the damage has been done."

Find this article at:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20090323_Death_s_a_messy_business_____somebody_s_got_to_clean_it_up__Hey__it_s_a_living_.html

The Top 13 Worst Jobs with the Best Pay

2009-02-28T14:40:00.001-05:00

These are dirty jobs and somebody has to do them. At least they get paid well for their efforts
Think you have a lousy job? You're not alone. So do about half of your fellow workers—and about a quarter of them are only showing up to collect a paycheck, according to a survey conducted by London-based market information company TNS. Grumbling over the size of that check is common, too. About two-thirds of workers believe they don't get paid enough, says TNS—even though many of them may actually be overpaid, compared to average compensation data

Crime-Scene Cleaner
Average pay: $50,400
If crime-scene cleanup was just wiping blood off the floors—well, that would be easy. But CSI fans with get-rich-quick dreams should note the job involves more than handiness with a mop and a tolerance for the smell of decomposing flesh. Getting rid of bodily fluids typically calls for more rough-and-ready methods, such as ripping up carpet, tile, and baseboards. It also sometimes means working in confined spaces (if someone was electrocuted in an attic, for example). And when tearing up old houses, workers face exposure to hazards such as lead paint and asbestos—not to mention the combustible chemicals involved in drug-lab abatement.

Crime Scene Cleanup: What It Involves

2009-02-21T01:35:00.000-05:00

The Restoration Resource

A crime scene cleanup service is not without its complications. Crime scene cleaning encompasses restoring the crime scene to its original state. When a crime is usually discovered, crime scene cleaners are not called until after officers of the law, like the crime scene investigators, have done their jobs first and have given the go ahead for the cleaners to come in. If you intend to hire a crime scene cleanup company, you must make sure that they are well equipped and fit right to get the job done. A crime scene presents challenging conditions.

The Use Of Protective Gears:
Crime scenes can very well involve the use of hazardous or deadly substances. For safety reasons then, it has become imperative that crime scene cleaners use protective clothing, in addition to protective tools and gadgets. You must see to it that they have all the necessary protective gears and gadgets. The protective clothing can consist of disposable gloves and suits. A disposable gear is preferred nowadays since it offers the best protection against contamination. You use it one time and get rid of it. That way, the dangers of contamination is virtually brought down to zero percent. Protective clothing extends to respirators and the use of heavy-duty industrial or chemical-spill protective boots.

Among the gadgets that a crime scene cleaning company must have are special brushes, special sprayers, and wet vacuum. These special tools ensure added protection against getting into contact with the hazard could very well be present in the crime scene. There is large, special equipment such as a mounted steam injection tool that is designed to sanitize dried up biohazard materials such as scattered flesh and brain. You would also need to check if they have the specialized tank for chemical treatments and industrial strength waste containers to collect biohazard waste.

Of course, any crime scene clean up must have the usual cleaning supplies common to all cleaning service companies. There are the buckets, mops, brushes and spray bottles. For cleaning products, you should check if they use industrial cleaning products. A crime scene cleaning company must have these on their lists:

1 - Disinfectants including hydrogen peroxide and bleaches - The kinds that the hospitals used are commonly acceptable.

2 - Enzyme solvers for cleaning blood stains. It also kills viruses and bacteria.

3 - Odor removers such as foggers, ozone machines, and deodorizers

4 - Handy tools for breaking and extending such as saws, sledgehammers, and ladders

Established crime scene operators also equip themselves with cameras and take pictures of the crime scene before commencing work which. The pictures taken may prove useful for legal matters and insurance purposes. You never know which.

Needless to say, a specially fitted form of transportation and proper waste disposal is also needed. These requirements are specific. As you can imagine, crime scene cleaning is in a different category on its own. A home cleaning or janitorial service company may not be able to cope up with the demands of a crime scene. A crime scene cleanup service requires many special gears and tools that a home cleaning or a janitorial service company does not usually have or does not require. Crime scene cleaning if not done correctly can expose the public to untold hazards.

What Else To Look For In A Crime Scene Cleanup Company
You may also want to hire a company that has established itself. An experienced company with a strong reputation is always a plus but it could be expensive too. You will do well to balance your needs with what is your budget. There are several companies that offer specific prices such as for death scene clean up categories and suicide clean up categories. Most companies own a website and have round the clock customer service as receptionists.

When looking for a suitable crime scene cleaning service, among the first things you need to do is to scout for price quotes. Crime scene cleanup services usually provide quote after they have examined the crime scene and then they give you a definite quote. Factors that are usually considered include the number of personnel that will be needed to get the job done. It also includes the amount of time that might be needed. The nature and amount of the waste materials that need to be disposed will also be factored in. You can be sure that the more sophisticated equipments needed the more expensive it will get.

Crime Scene Cleanup And Your Insurance
For homeowners, the best approach is always to make sure that crime scene cleanup services clauses and provisions are written down on the contracts or policies. The inclusion of crime cleanup services clauses is very common and has become standard clause in most homeowner’s policy. Make sure that you are covered for this unforeseen event. Make sure that your policy directs the crime scene cleaning company to transact directly with the homeowner insurance company. A crime scene cleaning service is usually a standard clause in many homeowners’ insurance clause. These companies often do the paperwork in behalf of clients.

If for some reason you do not have such coverage by any policies relating to crime scene cleanup on your home, there are ways to keep your expenses controlled.

Finding the right company can be very taxing, especially that you have to deal with the emotional stress stemming from the crime itself, especially with a crime scene involving death.

There are many crime scene cleanup companies in operation nowadays. There are reliable professionals that you can hire and prices are relatively competitive. As of recently, crime-scene cleanup services can cost up to $600 for an hour of their service. A homicide case alone involving a single room and a huge amount of blood can cost about $1,000 to $3,000.

In recent years, crime scene cleaning has come to be known as, "Crime and Trauma Scene Decontamination or CTS. Basically, CTS is a special form of crime scene cleaning focusing on decontamination of the crime scene from hazardous substances such as those resulting from violent crimes or those involving chemical contaminations such as methamphetamine labs or anthrax production. This type of service is particularly common when violent crimes are committed in a home. It is rare that the residents move out of the home after it has become a scene of a crime. Most often, the residents just opt to have it cleaned up. That is why, it is very important to hire the best crime scene cleaning company out there. The place needs to be totally free from contamination of any kind. You have to make sure that the company is able to remove all traces of the violent crime that took place. This includes cleaning biohazards that are sometimes invisible to the untrained eye.

Legally speaking, federal laws state that all bodily fluids are deemed biohazards and you should make sure that the cleanup service company you hire understands this and includes it in the cleanup. These things appear as blood or tissue splattered on a crime scene. You must be able to hire a company that is equipped with special knowledge to safely handle biohazard materials. The company must have the knowledge what to search for in any give biohazard crime scene. For instance, the company should be able to tell clues such that if there is a bloodstain the size of a thumbnail on a carpet, you can bet that there is about a huge bloodstain underneath. Federal and State laws have their own laws in terms of transport and disposal of biohazard waste. Make sure that the company you hire has all the permits necessary.

It will also be a huge plus if you could hire people who not only has the special trainings but also who have the nature to be sympathetic. If you are close to the victim and have the cleaning done at the behest of the victim’s relatives, it would matter that the cleaners tread the site with some level of respect. It is a common site that family members and loved ones are often there at scene. In general, when looking for a suitable crime scene cleaners, you would take into considerations the kind of situation that the crimes scene presents and the demands that it require. Crime scene cleaning companies handle a wide variety of crime scenes and prices may vary from one to the other crime scene and one to the other company.

Each type of scene requires its own particular demands not only to make the crime scene look clean and neat on the surface but to make it germ free, and clean inside and to make it free from all deadly and infectious substances. The cleanup cost for biohazards may vary depending on degree of the bio hazard(s) on the scene. There may even be a category that changes the cleanup pricing which usually involves decomposing bodies and carcasses. Likewise, a cleanup of chemical hazards vary, depending on the amount of chemical hazards as well as the grades i.e. how hazardous the substance is in terms of human contact. Prices are also determined by the number of hours and personnel that it would to get the crime scene cleaned. In addition, the "gross factor" from crime scene involving death and gore needs to be taken under consideration regarding the chemicals that will be used as opposed to those crimes' that do not have gore involved.

Risks of Using In-house Employees for Environmental Cleanups

2009-02-19T16:55:00.001-05:00

By Gerard M. Giordano, Esq.

In an attempt to save money, property owners may be tempted to use their own Employees to clean up contamination at their facilities in order to comply with state or federal environmental laws. However, there may not be any real savings because when property owners (as employers)do commit to such a venture,they must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA)regulations that may be applicable. These are designed to protect employees from occupational injuries and illnesses,and failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines that may offset any savings.

A property owner who orders his employees to clean up or work with hazardous substances must comply with a number of precautionary regulations. The most comprehensive is 29 CFR 1910.120, which deals with hazardous waste operations and emergency response. An employer is required to develop and put into writing a safety and health program for any employees engaged in hazardous waste cleanup operations.

The elements of an effective program include requiring an employer to identify and evaluate specific hazards and to determine the appropriate safety and health control procedures to protect employees before any work is initiated. Likewise, protective equipment must be utilized by employees during the initial site entry and, if required,during subsequent work at the site. The employer must also periodically monitor employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances in excess of OSHA ’s regulations.

Once the presence and concentration of specific hazardous substances and health hazards have been established, employees involved in the cleanup operations must be informed of any risks associated with their work. Under certain ircumstances,regular ongoing medical surveillance of employees by a licensed physician, and without cost to the employees or lost pay, may be required.

Numerous other safeguards are also required by OSHA. For example, OSHA’s hazardous communications program, 29 CFR 1910.120, requires an employer to establish and implement a hazard communication program if, during the course of the cleanup, employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The requirements are essentially the same as those in workplaces where employees are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals. The program must include container labeling, production of material safety data sheets and employee training. The employer must also provide a full description of the OSHA compliance program to employees, contractors and subcontractors involved with the cleanup operations as well as OSHA,and to any other federal,state or local agency with regulatory authority over the cleanup.

Regulation 29 CFR 1910.120 also requires an employer that retains the services of a contractor or subcontractor to inform them of any identified potential hazards of the cleanup operations. Generally, it is the involvement of employees that triggers an employer’s obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. If contractors were retained, it would be the contractors’ responsibility to comply with these OSHA requirements on behalf of their employees, assuming that the employer
retaining the contractor has neither employees involved in the cleanup nor employees potentially exposed to health hazards arising from the cleanup.

In addition to the contractor’s required compliance with OSHA regulations, it is imperative that a property owner include in any agreement with the contractor that the contractor must comply with all pertinent OSHA regulations. If possible,the agreement should also provide for indemnifications from the contractor to the property owner for claims arising from the cleanup. These indemnifications will be important if the employees of the contractor are injured or subsequently become ill because of such work. The indemnifications should survive the completion of the work. These precautions will help insulate the property owner from both governmental actions and potential third-party claims.

Failure to comply with OSHA regulations on the part of the property owner who uses his own employees to perform a cleanup or work with hazardous substances may result in substantial penalties. Under OSHA, fines can be levied for each violation found by an inspector. These violations can result in non-serious, serious or willful violations with penalties as high as $70,000 for each violation. If a subsequent inspection is performed and violations are found which have not been corrected from an original inspection,daily penalties could be levied resulting in substantial fines.

Compliance with OSHA regulations should be a factor when a property owner decides to use in-house employees for cleanups. In the long run, there may not be any savings to the employer. Furthermore, because of the employer’s lack of familiarity with the OSHA regulations governing the cleanup of hazardous sites,the employer could be subject to fines as a result of its failure to comply with the OSHA regulations.

Therefore, it may be prudent in the long run to retain a company whose business is devoted to doing only cleanups. This company will have the expertise and continuing obligations to protect its employees.

Gerard Giordano is special counsel at the law firm of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A., based in Hackensack, NJ. He is a member of the firm’s Environmental Department, and his practice focuses particularly on OSHA matters. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Giordano worked at the U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as an industrial hygiene compliance officer.

The Corpse Is Gone; Enter Quietly the Cleaners

2009-02-16T21:43:00.001-05:00

By FRANCIS X. CLINES
The New York Times

Once cadavers and evidence are removed from a typical crime scene, the police and paramedics drive away, leaving a traumatized family and an opportunity for a delicate enterprise now quietly evident across the land.

''The family just went through this horrific event and now they have to clean up, too?'' Becky Della-Rodolfa said, describing the rationale of her private Philadelphia business that specializes in the cleaning and repairing of the aftermath of homicides, suicides and other mayhem.

More than 200 such companies have been started in urban areas in recent years, according to a Washington lobbying association that is seeking government standards for an industry that practitioners find fraught with public health and professional concerns.

''We need standard ethics and procedural rules for a business that is growing by leaps and bounds,'' said Ron Gospodarski, president of the lobbying group, the American Bio-Recovery Association. The three-year-old association serves an industry that is thriving on the fact that government agencies generally make no provision to clean up the scenes of traumatic deaths.

An exception is Phoenix, where the municipal government has contracted with Dale Cillian, an industry pioneer with 15 years' experience, to clean up after biohazardous crimes and accidents, from homicides to car crashes.

''We should be under the same standards as the funeral industry,'' Mr. Cillian said, warning that fly-by-night operators have been appearing more frequently.

His business, Biopro LLC, has cleaned more than 5,000 crime and accident scenes using high-tech equipment and medical-waste-disposal techniques that the national association wants established as a government requirement.

''I was a paramedic for 18 years,'' Mr. Gospodarski said. He runs a cleanup company in the New York City area that routinely deals with blood-borne and airborne contaminants at scenes of violent deaths or deaths that are not immediately discovered. His workers, wearing protective gear, move in after the police and rip out floorboards and wall panels in tracking the flow of wastes.

''A lot of us got into it from public safety jobs because we got tired of seeing families shocked in the midst of tragedy as they watched cops and medics just strip off their gloves and walk away,'' Mr. Gospodarski said.

He noted the premium on speed in his business, citing one overnight cleanup at a New York restaurant where four people were shot to death. ''An eight-hour job, very messy, blood trails on the walls through the place, and the manager was very, very grateful we could be there within 30 minutes,'' Mr. Gospodarski said of his company, the Bio-Recovery Corporation.

Ms. Della-Rodolfa started her business, Trauma Scene Restoration, when she heard a friend who was a police officer talk of the frustration of leaving shocked families behind after a death. ''I don't think society knows this type of industry exists,'' she said, describing the largely unadvertised manner of the business in which a funeral director, medical examiner or sympathetic ambulance driver might inform a family of a local specialist.

''Restoring the scene and peace of mind'' is the motto of Ms. Della-Rodolfa's small company, as printed in an advertisement in the local yellow pages under House Cleaning. It is embossed as well on packets of golf tees that she distributes at police and medical examiners' conventions. ''They love golf,'' she said.

''We can't call up troubled families -- that would be unethical ambulance chasing,'' Ms. Della-Rodolfa declared as she dealt with a new job. It involved cleaning the home of an elderly recluse who had died alone in a house knee-deep in trash, with 12 cats left unattended for six weeks.

This job will cost $30 an hour and require some messy labor, she estimated. Other jobs at scenes of violence or extended decomposition, with potentially infectious blood and other waste, cost $100 an hour.

She has a staff of three full-time workers with others on call. They use an array of disposable clothing and respirators, and subcontract with a medical-waste company to burn all corpse-related residue.

This precaution is something that Mr. Gospodarski would like to see made a government regulation.

He described a job in the Bronx involving a man whose body was found two weeks after death and who turned out to have had hepatitis and been H.I.V.-positive. Effluvia had seeped into the apartment below, creating a potentially nightmarish situation that local health officials knew nothing about, Mr. Gospodarski said.

Beyond violent deaths, decomposition cases involving people who died alone and neglected make up half of his business, Mr. Gospodarski said.

In Phoenix, Mr. Cillian, who is a firefighter, obtained a general contractor's license to qualify for the dismantling and repairing that can be required at a noisome crime scene. Jobs average about $350, but chaotic crime scenes can cost thousands, he said, noting that he does pro bono work in cases of hardship.

''There's a lot of shootings out here, and the scene at one of them looked like a war zone,'' he said of a recent shootout between a police officer and his killer. ''A hundred rounds were fired; the place was pocked like a movie set.'' When he heard that the police officer's grieving family members wanted to see the scene, Mr. Cillian said, he had all the bullet-torn doors and blood-stained surfaces removed or covered to spare them extra trauma.

Some states, including New York, offer crime victims up to $2,500 for their expenses, and lately trauma cleanup costs have been accepted, Mr. Gospodarski said. But home insurance claims are more open to dispute, as in instances of suicide, Ms. Della-Rodolfa said.

''That can mean the second trauma,'' she said. ''This is when a family must relive the first one all over again by cleaning it up.''

Dentist pleads innocent in medical waste case

2009-02-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. - A Pennsylvania dentist charged with dumping medical waste into New Jersey's coastal waters has pleaded not guilty.

Thomas McFarland entered his plea Thursday. He is seeking admission to a pretrial intervention program that would let him avoid a criminal record after a period of supervised oversight.

State officials don't yet know whether they'll challenge the move.

McFarland is accused of dumping waste that washed up on several Cape May County beaches last summer, forcing them to close for several days.

Philadelphia Couple Cleans Up Crime Scenes

2009-02-04T11:56:00.001-05:00

Sunshine Cleaning

2009-02-04T10:57:00.002-05:00

Sunshine Cleaning is a comedy-drama starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.

Sunshine Cleaning follows an average family that finds the path to its dreams in an unlikely setting. A single mom and her slacker sister find an unexpected way to turn their lives around - once the high school cheerleading captain who dated the quarterback, Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) now finds herself a thirty something single mother working as a maid. Her sister Norah (Emily Blunt) is still living at home with their dad Joe (Alan Arkin), a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get rich quick schemes. Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and other…specialized situations. As they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find a true respect for one another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. By building their own improbable business, Rose and Norah open the door to the joys and challenges of being there for one another—no matter what—while creating a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family.

Here’s the Sunshine Cleaning Trailer, hit HQ in the menu bottom right for improved quality. The movie is due out March 13, 2009.

Crime & Trauma Scene Bio-Recovery – Growing Pains in a Niche Industry

2009-02-02T19:10:00.000-05:00

by Kent Berg

Like many people in the restoration industry considering expanding into crime and trauma scene bio-recovery, you may want to know about the trends in the marketplace and who your potential competitors are. However, before I tell you where the industry is and where it is going, let’s look at from where it came… In the mid-to-late 1990s, the crime and trauma bio-recovery industry was in its infancy. There were only a handful of companies providing service as full-time dedicated businesses. As these companies began to market themselves and the media began running articles and interviews, budding entrepreneurs took notice, and a small but steady stream of novices entered the industry. The insurance industry also began to recognize the capabilities of trained and certified companies. There were fewer complaints and callbacks from their insureds, and the frequency of “rip and tear” remediation dropped in favor of proper decontamination and disinfection practices.Today, roughly 12 years into the life of this business, we are seeing families, businesses and industrial customers getting their scenes cleaned up without having to ask untrained and psychologically unprepared employees or family members to undertake these gruesome tasks. But with this influx of new companies has come problems. Since1996 the industry has watched as an incredible influx of new companies try their hand at this unique and macabre business. What was once an open market is rapidly changing. While many areas of the country are still in need of crime scene cleanup companies, many areas are saturated. States like Florida, California, Ohio and New Jersey, and cities like Phoenix, Atlanta, Seattle and Philadelphia are literally teeming with bio-recovery service providers. As more companies enter these markets, there results a dilution of the supply/demand ratio, and thus the newcomers are either going out of business shortly after start-up or they diminish the incomes of the established companies there before them, in turn forcing them to diversify or die. Why is this happening? As a niche market, there are a limited number of scenes that need to be cleaned. Unlike other industries that entice new potential clients to try their services, the bio-recovery industry has to wait for something horrible to happen and either make themselves available or hope for a referral from public safety officials. When there are more bio-recovery companies than horrible events, company owners have to look for other ways to supplement their income. Many companies have entered the fire/water/smoke remediation market, while others have expanded into the mold/lead/asbestos fields. Just as remediation companies have expanded into the crime scene markets, we are seeing many in the crime scene markets enter the traditional abatement/remediation fields in order to survive.So what is the big attraction of crime scene bio-recovery? The lure of big money, no formal education and low start-up costs has attracted a broad variety of players. Like most industries, the quality of service varies widely. Although the American Bio-Recovery Association (www.americanbiorecovery.com) has gained significant recognition and credibility for many in the industry, there is still a disturbing number of companies who fail to comply with federal and state regulations, have received no formal training or industry certification, or have failed to embrace ethical business practices. Unlike many business owners who see crime scene cleanup as a moral calling to provide a service very similar to funeral homes, others see an opportunity to plunder the coffers of the dead and bereaved, often charging obscene fees for shoddy work. Unfortunately, the public is painfully unaware of what constitutes a good company and often believes that these services are regulated and certified by the government. The greatest problem we face with this industry is that it is unregulated in most states, counties, and municipalities. With the exception of Louisiana, New York City, Florida and California, there are no industry-specific regulations, nor am I currently aware of any government entities in that intend to propose legislation in the foreseeable future. With a lack of governmental oversight, it is often ABRA that gets phone calls from the public, insurance adjusters, lawyers, and state attorneys wishing to “report” unsatisfactory experiences with poor service providers. Some of the more unnerving complaints include such tales as: “When our family walked across the ‘professionally decontaminated’ vinyl tiled kitchen floor, blood spurted up between the tiles splattering our shoes” or “After the crew left, we went to remove a pot of chili from the stove and found a three-inch skull fragment floating on top.” There are also stories of scare tactics like, “They told us that due to the biological hazards of airborne contaminants, all of the home contents had to be disposed of including the china, silverware, appliances, everything, and then weeks later we found most of our belongings being sold at a flea market.” Training has also been a hot issue in the industry. Like the companies who make up the industry, the training offered varies widely. Although ABRA-approved training centers provide highly competent, in-depth training programs with ABRA certification, and a few independent for-profit entities reportedly have a good curriculum, many more companies have popped up offering less-than-stellar training. Many service providers say they are “certified” on their Web sites, but don’t say by whom. Many say they are “OSHA Certified,” but that is simply not true: OSHA does not certify companies to do this type of work, they only provide training in safety regulation compliance. On the bright side, the industry as a whole has established itself as a legitimate and needed service. More and more businesses, industries, public safety agencies and social assistance organizations are recognizing what scientists and psychologists have been saying for years, that qualified cleanup companies relieve families and the public from being exposed to disease hazards as well as the psychological trauma associated with these horrific scenes. In fact, government agencies are beginning to initiate contingency contracts in case something should happen on city, county, or federal property, and many are begin to recognize ABRA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recognizes ABRA’s position in the industry and has sought its assistance regarding the distribution of OSHA compliance materials to the industry.So where do we truly stand as an industry? I like to think we are in our adolescent stage, the rebellious, finding-our-own-way stage. As we mature we will see more professionalism, especially as a more savvy public begin to be more discriminating in seeking out a qualified service provider for their scene cleanup. Even as the economy continues its downturn, we know this is an industry that will not go away, and in all probability a recession will, sadly, generate more cleanups. On the other hand, as the U.S. job market becomes weaker and more people lose their jobs to downsizing, they will look for opportunities that appear lucrative, easy to get into, and don’t require a college education. Many will think that crime and trauma scene bio-recovery is the answer. Where they are geographically, ethically, and educationally will determine if they are right.