Crime Scene Cleaners Inc: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Crime Scene Cleaners Inc was founded in 1996 by Neal Smither in the San Francisco Bay Area and is headquartered in Orinda, California. Smither is widely credited as a pioneer in commercializing professional crime scene and biohazard cleanup services, turning what had historically been left to families or untrained personnel into a structured, professional trade. The company grew from its California roots into a franchise operation, expanding its footprint across the United States over the following decades.

The work performed by Crime Scene Cleaners Inc technicians spans a range of specialized remediation services, including trauma and crime scene cleanup, suicide and unattended death remediation, hoarding cleanup, meth lab decontamination, and general biohazard removal. These services require technicians to work in environments that may contain bloodborne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, and other biological materials, meaning workers must follow strict Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protocols and use appropriate personal protective equipment.

Crime Scene Cleaners Inc operates through a franchise model, meaning individual franchise locations may be independently owned and operated while adhering to the broader brand standards and methodologies established by the parent company. Franchise owners are responsible for local hiring, which can mean that specific hiring practices, including the scope of background checks, may vary somewhat by location.

Company culture and employee programs: The nature of crime scene and biohazard cleanup work is psychologically and physically demanding. Technicians are often called to job sites following traumatic events, requiring a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and emotional resilience. The company's work environment places a premium on reliability, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols. Employee programs and benefits may vary by franchise location; prospective applicants should contact their local franchise directly for information on compensation, training, and any available support programs.

Yes, Crime Scene Cleaners Inc does conduct background checks as part of its hiring process. Given the sensitive nature of the work, which routinely involves entering private residences and businesses following traumatic events, thorough screening is a standard and expected practice within the biohazard remediation industry. Employers in this field have a responsibility to clients, insurance carriers, and the public to verify that technicians have the background required to perform this work safely and with integrity.

A Crime Scene Cleaners Inc background check typically takes three to five business days to complete, though the actual turnaround time can vary depending on a number of factors. For more detail on what affects screening timelines, see Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times.

Factors that can affect how long a background check takes include:

A background check for Crime Scene Cleaners Inc may return information across several categories, depending on the specific searches ordered by the hiring franchise location. Common components include:

Under the FCRA, non-conviction records such as arrests that did not result in a conviction are generally limited to a seven-year reporting window. Criminal convictions, however, have no federal time cap and can be reported indefinitely. This means a Crime Scene Cleaners Inc background check could surface conviction records older than seven years, particularly given the safety-sensitive nature of the work. Some states impose stricter look-back limits on convictions, and positions with annual compensation above $75,000 may have different rules applied to non-conviction reporting. Candidates should also be aware of any applicable "ban-the-box" laws, which regulate when in the hiring process an employer may inquire about criminal history.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. It establishes rights and protections for candidates undergoing employment screening.

Key FCRA protections include:

These protections apply regardless of the employer and are enforceable under federal law.

Crime Scene Cleaners Inc hiring requirements can vary by franchise location, but candidates should generally expect the following baseline criteria:

Additional requirements, such as prior experience in remediation, construction, or a related trade, may be preferred at some locations but are not universally required.

The Crime Scene Cleaners Inc hiring process generally follows these steps, though specifics may vary by franchise location:

Candidates who want to review their own background before applying to Crime Scene Cleaners Inc or any other employer can do so through Checkr. Running a personal background check allows you to see what a prospective employer may find and address any inaccuracies before they affect a hiring decision.

If you have an open background check in progress through Checkr, you can track its status and find support through the Candidate Portal or by visiting the Checkr Help Center.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.