Health Warnings for Detectives and Medical Examiners

     Every veteran police detective or forensic investigator can remember the day when a little Vicks Vapor Rub under the nose, a $1.49 cigar and a pair of latex gloves was the norm when entering the scene of a belatedly discovered body.  No thought was given to universal precautions against bloodborne pathogens. Law enforcement agents routinely wore their street shoes and tromped all over the crime scenes during their investigations.  

     Cross contamination is a huge problem today.  Those unprotected shoes track bacteria to other "clean" areas such as their squad car, police station, and carpets in their homes.

     Carelessly discarded gloves are another health issue to be considered. Countless times we see discarded gloves laying around crime scenes.  Once the investigation is over, gloves become funny looking balloons to children playing in the area.  The simple use of universal precautions and disposing of them properly can prevent liability issues for police departments everywhere.

     Today there are hundreds of bodily fluid and airborne diseases that have been linked to crime scenes.  OSHA mandates that all employees with a likelihood of encountering bloodborne pathogens should receive annual training and be offered hepatitis inoculations. Bio-Clean of New Jersey recommends that each department have an exposure control plan.  Most officers would not think of going out on the street without a vest or proper gear.  The same should hold true for possible bloodborne pathogen exposure.

     When Bio-Clean of New Jersey decontamination specialists enter a crime scene they wear state of the art full bloodborne pathogen rated Level 1 biohazard suits.  Their gear includes steel toe combat style boots with a latex over boot, full face P1000 HEPA masks, and hospital grade latex gloves as well as heavy duty Nytril overgloves.   This protective equipment is used only once and discarded.   The equipment is inexpensive compared to a workman's compensation claim and a lifetime of misery due to an illness.

     Bio-Clean of New Jersey is available to departments to assist in developing an exposure control plan.

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