Hazards & Safety in Lab and Crime Scene

Primary Hazards at Crime Scenes

  • Blood-borne Diseases: Exposure to blood and other body fluids (semen, urine) that may contain HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

  • Chemical Hazards: Hazardous by-products from illegal drug labs (especially meth labs), harmful chemicals used in field tests, and burning chemicals.

  • Atmospheric Hazards: Poisonous vapors, gases, thick smoke, and dangerous dust particles.

  • Physical and Environmental Hazards: Explosives, lasers, UV lights, confined areas, falling objects, clutter, and sharp objects (glass, needle sticks, knives).

  • Vermin: Excrement from rodents and insects that may be toxic.

Routes of Exposure

  • Inhalation: Intake through the respiratory system as dust, aerosol, smoke, vapor, gas, or fume. Requires ventilation and respiratory protection.

  • Skin Contact: Entry via direct contact or absorption. Can cause systemic effects such as dizziness, tremors, nausea, blurred vision, liver and kidney damage, shock, or collapse.

  • Ingestion: Entry through the mouth. Prevention requires safe practices like washing hands and prohibiting food, drink, or smoking in contaminated areas.

  • Injection: Direct entry into the bloodstream through needle sticks or mechanical injuries from contaminated glass, metal, or sharp objects.

Risk Assessment and Prevention

  • Scene Assessment: Investigators must determine potential harms before entry; they have primary control over their own safety.

  • Chemical Precautions: Stay upwind from sources and wear respirators. Use level-appropriate protective clothing, gloves, and footwear.

  • Biological Precautions: Follow strict safety protocols and seek immediate treatment/testing if serious contact with blood or HIV is suspected.

Fire Scene Safety

  • Assessment: Carefully pinpoint dangers; chemical fires may require Level A protective clothing to avoid toxic fumes.

  • Limitations: Hazardous material suits are not designed to withstand intense heat and should not be used for firefighting.

  • Evidence Collection: Wear protective gloves, disposable foot covers, and respirators even after the fire is out, as harmful substances remain in the ashes.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Hand Protection: Use of varied glove materials including Nitrile, neoprene, latex, and Polyvinyl chloride. Nitrile is used for gasoline exposure as latex degrades.

  • Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shields are mandatory for chemical exposure, machinery use (e.g., jaws of life), and drug crime investigations.

  • Foot Protection: Thick-soled boots with ankle support and disposable covers are used to avoid contamination and hazards like glass.

  • Respiratory Protection: Use of contamination suits and respirators. Personnel must be examined every 6 months6\,\text{months} to ensure lung health.

  • Head Protection: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved helmets are required for confined spaces or where falling objects are a risk.