By NICOLE DOW
BILOXI — After the meticulous process of crime-scene investigation comes another detail-oriented process — crime-scene cleanup.
That’s where Gulfport resident Rachel Hanson steps in. Her Biloxi-based company, Bio-Clean Inc., cleans up crime scenes, including homicides and residual meth labs, in addition to suicides, natural deaths, accidents, distressed properties and hoarding situations.
“We’re dealing with people at the worst time in their lives,” Hanson said.
There’s much to be done after a crime or trauma occurs in a home or business. Sometimes people will attempt to clean up crime scenes on their own, exposing themselves to biohazard contamination and additional emotional distress as well as possibly breaking the law by incorrectly disposing of bodily fluids, Hanson said.
The biorecovery industry developed in the 1980s and is still relatively new, Hanson said.
“A lot of people don’t know this service exists.”
She said she gets most of her business through word of mouth. She networks with law enforcement officials, funeral directors, business owners and apartment managers who pass her contact information along to potential clients.
Hanson said many people aren’t aware insurance usually covers most of the cost for the cleanup services. The costs of services range from about $450 to several thousand dollars, depending on the situation, she said. Bio-Clean provides clients with free estimates after an initial assessment of the scene.
The company also can help homeowners file insurance claims.
“We try to make it as smooth and easy as possible,” Hanson said.
The state also provides financial assistance to crime victims and their families through the Crime Victims Compensation Program offered by the Office of the Attorney General.
Hanson previously worked as an office manager at Edgewater Mall for 15 years before trading business suits and high heels for biohazard suits and steel-toed boots.
She became interested in the biorecovery industry after reading a book on crime scene cleaners in California. She conducted research and then attended the National Institute of Decontamination Specialists to obtain certification through the American BioRecovery Association. Since she’s made her career change, she said she hasn’t looked back.
“I love it,” Hanson said. “It’s interesting. Every scene is different.”
Cleaning up residual meth labs is the most common business for her company. Hanson said Bio-Clean Inc. works about seven residual meth lab scenes to every other scene. She said that meth labs often contaminate a great deal of the surrounding areas and can take up to a week to completely clean.
Hanson started Bio-Clean Inc. in October with partner Debbie Wiggins and has worked approximately 20 cases. They now have a team of four as they work along the Mississippi Coast and all the way up to Hattiesburg. She and her team are certified biorecovery technicians. They also hold OSHA certifications to work with bloodborne pathogens and are certified in CPR and first aid. In her spare time, Hanson is studying to become a certified industrial hygienist.
Bio-Clean Inc. is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hanson said an individual job can take anywhere from a few hours to a week to thoroughly complete.
“When we go into a scene we have to assume everything’s contaminated with the worst possible thing,” she said.
