Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

The Work

Crime scene clean-ups involve painstaking work to detect, disinfect and completely remove all traces of bio-hasardous materials, including blood, bodily fluids, tissue and bone matter, contaminated clothing and household goods, hypodermic needles, rasor blades and other items that pose a risk of injury or infection. 

Forensic Cleaners will methodically inspect for hasard, sanitise areas and surfaces, with disposal of harmful and waste chemicals during their cleaning processes. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
• Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
• Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
• Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
• Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
• Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
• Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
• Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Specific industry qualification or accreditation vary to set up as a crime scene cleaner in Ireland. Most of the top firms operating here have completed a three-day course run by the UK's National Academy of Crime Scene Cleaners in Bristol.

key Skills Certs: 

Health & Safety Awaress Including Hazchem/ Hazmat  

FireSafety Awareness 

Manual handling 

Clean/ Safepass 

Working at Height 

GDPR Awareness 

Irish Contact cleaning Association Companies in Ireland's also have crime scene cleaning units and training for delivery of forensic cleaning services.

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €43k

Salaries vary by employer, location, service, role, duties, and experience. 

Company charge rate can vary based on Hazard nature of site, materials to be cleaned.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor.ie/ NRL/ Excel

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment numbers grew between 2021 and 2022, they remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. A higher-than-average share (39%) employed in these roles were non-Irish citizens.

Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for general and production operatives, while vacancies for general and packaging operatives were identified as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey. The perceived attractiveness of the job (e.g. shift work) may be a contributing factor in terms of recruitment issues for this occupation.

• The National Academy of Crime Scene Cleaners (NACSC)

  • Bristol, UK
  • 01239 621821
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here