Insight into the Unseen World of Crime Scene Cleaning
A trauma cleaning expert from Wales has shared a harrowing experience that continues to haunt him. The story comes from a new documentary series, Crime Scene Cleaners, which recently premiered on Channel 4. This ten-part show offers a rare glimpse into a profession that is often overlooked but plays a crucial role in the aftermath of violent incidents.
The series, now available for streaming on Channel 4, provides an exclusive look at the teams working in both the UK and the US. These professionals deal with some of the most challenging and dangerous environments, ensuring that crime scenes are thoroughly cleaned and made safe for reoccupation.
In one particularly intense episode, the teams were tasked with cleaning a rental car that had become the scene of a brutal stabbing in London. After the police removed the body and collected evidence, the vehicle was returned to the rental company based in Wales. It was then the responsibility of crime scene cleaning experts, Mark Holmes and Johnny Williams, to eliminate all traces of the tragic event.
The £30,000 car was completely soaked in blood, requiring extensive sanitisation before the actual cleaning could begin. During this process, Johnny reflected on the nature of his work and recounted a particularly disturbing case he had handled earlier in his career.
“Most people don’t understand what we do,” he said. “They think we’re just doing a bit of dusting.”
Johnny explained that he has been with the company for many years and has encountered numerous difficult cases. One that stood out was a situation involving a man who had used a chop saw in his bedroom. The scene was so disturbing that it left a lasting impression on him.
“There were photos of the young man on the bed, and you could see the blood around him,” he added. “That was really eerie. You can tell exactly what happened, and that kind of thing stays with you.”
Despite the emotional toll, Johnny noted that he tries to mentally switch off from the job. “It’s easier said than done sometimes, but that’s just part of the job.”
Mark Holmes also shared his perspective, highlighting the differences between his previous job and his current role. “In my old job, every day was pretty much the same. Here, there are no two days that are exactly alike. It’s always something different.”
He also mentioned that while some of his colleagues are open about the crime scenes they have worked on, others prefer not to discuss certain cases. “There are some jobs that are too sensitive to talk about.”
Crime Scene Cleaners continues to air on Channel 4 at 10pm on Monday 7 July. Viewers can also stream all episodes on the Channel 4 platform. The series not only sheds light on the challenges faced by these professionals but also highlights the importance of their work in restoring normalcy after traumatic events.
