Bloodborne Pathogens

Pathogens are a type of microorganism that spreads viral and bacterial diseases. These diseases when present in human blood and body fluids are known as blood borne pathogens, and can spread from one person to another. (Worcester polytechnic institute) The most serious types of blood borne diseases are the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause liver damage; and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which is responsible for causing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The blood borne pathogens can be spread when the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and amniotic fluid) of an infected individual comes into contact with mucous membranes or an open sore or cut on the skin of another

While entering the crime scene, the first responding officer should look out for any evidence which is present on the ground. There have some cases in which the first responding officer stepped on the evidence such as blood or

The first priority for a first responding officer(s) is safety that there is no threat to the officer or citizens at the scene. Once the scene is secured, investigators and forensics personal can process the scene. Once forensics personal is notified this is called “called out”. They should record the date and time of the call out they receive. Once at the crime scene they get a briefing about the incident. Forensic technician should record arrival time, and time briefing is over. Should also document the names and identification numbers of all personal present. Ask if any fragile evidence or area of the scene has been disturbed is important. Tracked blood, shoe or tire impressions from first responder’s activity. Start processing scene. Initial search for evidence is a search conducted by the forensic technician to survey the scene to determine and prioritize task. Records date and time the initial search for evidence. Records notes on areas of interest, and location of evidence. Notes environmental and premises conditions. Always proceed slowly (sight, smell, hearing, and touch) using senses. Night time crime scenes are difficult to see blood, firearm casings etc. hard to locate.

Bloodborne Pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that can eventually cause disease. They are found in human blood and other bodily fluids such as synovial fluid, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid and any other fluid that mixes or has contact with blood. The bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic, which means they are disease causing, and they are also microorganisms, which means that they are very small so the human eye cannot see them.

When it comes to crime scene investigation, the most visually spectacular aspect is likely blood spatter. From Dexter to CSI, the the method by which blood leaves the body and interacts with the environment has caught the imagination of writers, viewers, and scientists alike. The information we can glean from blood includes position of victim or perpetrator within a scene to information about the blood “donor” him or herself. There are many different methods investigators use to analyze this evidence, but the all have one thing in common: the all involve blood.

 The preliminary investigation plays a huge role as it often determines the need for additional emergency response, whether a crime has been committed, the need for special investigative resources and ensuring evidence, if any, remains undisturbed until such time a crime scene investigator arrives.  The crimes scene itself, is any physical area in which the crime is believed to have taken place. Any error made by officers, emergency responders, investigators, or unwitting witnesses, may result in false, tainted or lost

As a crime scene investigator it is their job to collect all of the evidence in a timely manner. Although, there are ways to collect the evidence it is very important to make sure that the evidence is collected correctly and properly. Now as a crime scene investigator I have arrived on a crime scene where there is a lot of evidence that needs to be collected. All of the evidence that needs to be collect for the case is drying blood on the floor, a hand gun, several shell casings near the victim, and some hairs that is still in the deceased victim’s hand. Therefore, I would start by taking pictures of the entire crime scene to ensure that everything is documented as it was found before I start to remove any of the evidence. Furthermore, I would ensure that I am at all times wearing latex gloves so that I don’t leave my own finger

The standard precautions are implemented at all times to decrease the risk of transmitting infectious agents. Assuming that all patients could carry an infection, this minimises the potential spread of HAI’s. These standard precautions include routine hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, safe handling and disposure of sharps and routine environmental cleaning.4,5 In this situation, where blood is present, this is considered a biohazard. Hand hygiene must be performed before touching the patient, before and after any procedures or exposure to bodily substances and after touching the patient or any of the patient’s surroundings. The use of Personal protective equipment should be used when attending to the patient. This includes protective eye wear, a surgical mask and an apron for protection from any splashes or sprays of blood generated by the patient. Gloves should also be worn for single use only when coming in contact with open skin and bodily fluids. To minimise the spread of blood, the bystander with visibly soiled hands should also be advised to thoroughly clean them with soap and

Crime Scene Cleanup: When violent crimes happen, biohazards result. Let Safeguard Restoration sanitize these substances from your property.

Upon arriving to the crime scenes, the first responder would secure the scene to make sure the scene was safe. Safety is the first priority when going to a possible crime scene (Young, 2011). While officers search the area for a suspect another officer will obtain the preliminary information from the witnesses. Once the scene is secure the forensic team and investigators are notified (Young, 2011).

Records should be regularly analysed so that problem areas can be identified and decisions about the development of new or updated injury prevention strategies can be made. These decisions can help to prevent future injuries and will contribute towards cost management for the organisation. Immediate response documentation and record keeping for an accident may include time and date of incident, how the incident occurred, who witnessed and reported the incident, injury description, details of first aid applied and who it was reported to. When infection control hazards and incidents are reported immediately, it helps ensure prompt investigation, assessment and long and short-term control development. This then becomes part of the critical management cycle of ensuring hazards and risks are

This may have been a problem in the mid-20th century, but now CSI’s are taking extra steps to insure blood is reliable. Science Daily reported that chemists from South Carolina invented a camera that takes pictures of blood stains, both visible and invisible, without human intervention (Seeing the invisible: New 'CSI tool' visualizes bloodstains and other substances). If people can’t contaminate the sample because of the camera, blood’s reliability shoots up. Unclean labs aren’t an issue “leading laboratories use strict-control protocols…and design their environmental systems appropriately” (Hunter). Plus, crime scenes themselves are cleaner. Investigators are becoming more cautious and wearing gloves, masks, and gowns at all times. If investigators are more cautious, and don’t touch the blood, the likelihood of blood being tampered with is very

Every day while caring for patients, dedicated health care workers all over the world face potential risks of exposure to infectious disease bacteria or bloodborne viruses due to unintentional punctures with needlesticks or sharps, or accidental contact with bodily secretions, excretions and contaminated items (Wilburn, 2004). The occurrence of undesirable complications can arise from medical errors when safety guideline and control mechanisms are not followed. On occasion healthcare workers may accidentally acquire infections due to the misuse or improper fit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and coverings while attending to individuals seeking out medical attention that may be unexpectedly and unknowingly carrying a communicable disease

If you are a health worker, always wear protective gloves in situations that involve exposure to blood or other body fluids.

In some instances, COPs may find themselves in dangerous situations where there may be many casualties or situations that my demand that the medical staff needs to protect themselves as much as they need to protect their patients- the COPs. As much as evacuation is essential, there is need to provide adequate information through information sharing systems. This can be classified under their preventive role in a bid to approach the job in a proactive manner. Through this the COPs may have basic and fundamental knowledge of what to do in certain