PETALING JAYA: Unlike ordinary cleaning crews, these specialists face physical, emotional and psychological risks when cleaning up some of the country’s most traumatic crime scenes.
They arrive quietly, usually after police and forensic teams have completed their investigations, to begin the arduous task of removing biological hazards and restoring affected properties to a safe condition.
For crime scene cleaner Mohd Ariff Mohd Yunos, 41, the job involves much more than removing blood and bodily fluids. It requires careful risk assessments, protective equipment and emotional resilience.
“Post-trauma cleaning is not just about having the courage to face disturbing scenes.
“It is about professionalism, responsibility and ensuring every team member returns home safely,” he said.
Mohd Ariff, who is the managing director of a specialised cleaning company, said the safety and professionalism of his crew are his top priorities whenever they enter a crime scene or a property where someone has died.
“Sometimes, when you see the condition of the scene, especially in cases involving unattended deaths, it can affect you emotionally.
“But during the job, we try not to dwell on how the person died.
“We focus on what needs to be done to make the space safe again.”
He cited cases involving decomposing bodies as particularly challenging because bodily fluids could penetrate flooring, walls, furniture and other porous materials.
He said biological contamination poses one of the greatest risks, alongside sharp objects, insects, the overpowering odour of decomposition and unidentified substances.
He recalled a clean-up operation involving a deceased person who reportedly had HIV and had been a hoarder.
Mohd Ariff said the main challenge is managing the work safely in a heavily cluttered environment while preventing cross- contamination and protecting his team.
As the on-site supervisor, he has to carefully coordinate the workflow, manpower, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and handling of contaminated materials.
“Our job is not to judge what happened or how someone lived.
“We have to work professionally, respectfully and with compassion while protecting the privacy and dignity of everyone involved,” he added.
On how his company secures cleaning assignments, Mohd Ariff said most enquiries come from family members or next of kin, although neighbours, property owners and building management also seek out the service.
He said Malaysia’s post-trauma cleaning industry remains relatively small, with one of its main challenges being the development of skilled workers who understand safety procedures and the emotional demands of the job.
For fellow cleaner Rosli Mohd Noor, 45, his first task upon arriving at a scene is to assess potential hazards before allowing his team to begin work.
One of his most emotionally challenging assignments involved a family tragedy in which a husband killed his wife and two children, aged five and seven, before his own death.
“It was heartbreaking because we could still see the location where the children lost their lives.
“While carrying out the cleanup, I kept thinking about my own wife and children waiting for me at home.
“As a father, it really affected me emotionally.”
Rosli also recalled another case involving a couple whose bodies were discovered in a sealed room about a week after they died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.
Although the bodies had been removed before his team arrived, he said the cleanup was considered high-risk due to the possibility of biological contamination.
