Donning, Doffing, and Decontamination Drill

Why PPE Protocol Is Non-Negotiable

Bloodstain pattern analysis and trace evidence collection place technicians in direct proximity to biological material — blood, saliva, tissue — that may carry bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers and workers to treat all human blood and potentially infectious materials as if they are contaminated. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your primary engineering control when you cannot eliminate the hazard. Wearing it correctly is a skill, not a formality. Removing it incorrectly is actually more dangerous than wearing it improperly, because the outside surfaces of your PPE accumulate contamination throughout the scene, and a careless doff transfers that contamination straight to your skin or clothing.

The Biological-Hazard PPE Ensemble

For a crime scene with biological material, the standard ensemble consists of:

• Tyvek coverall (suit): provides a physical barrier over your personal clothing
• Boot covers: prevent tracking biological material and protect footwear
• Inner nitrile gloves: remain on skin throughout; serve as last-line protection during doffing
• Face shield: protects eyes, nose, and mouth from splash; worn over the suit collar
• Outer nitrile gloves: contact all contaminated surfaces; removed first during doffing

This layered system works because you remove the most contaminated items first, always moving outward-to-inward, so clean layers are never touched by dirty surfaces.

Donning Sequence — Step by Step

Always don PPE in a clean staging area, away from the contaminated zone.

1. Inspect all components before putting anything on — check gloves for pinholes, suit for tears.

2. Don the Tyvek suit — step in, zip to the chin, secure the hood if present but leave it back until needed.

3. Don boot covers over your shoes — one at a time, avoid touching the outside of the cover with bare hands.

4. Don inner nitrile gloves — pull snugly; tuck the cuff under the suit sleeve.

5. Don the face shield — secure the headband so the shield covers your full face; check for gaps.

6. Don outer nitrile gloves — pull the cuff over the suit sleeve so no gap exists between glove and suit.

Before entering the scene, have a partner visually verify your ensemble is secure and complete. This buddy check is a professional standard.

Doffing Sequence — Where Contamination Risk Peaks

Doffing must be done slowly and deliberately. Speed is the enemy. Remove all items in a contaminated or transition zone — never in a clean area.

1. Remove outer gloves first — peel each glove inside-out, touching only the outside of the first and the inside of the second; contain them together, deposit in a biohazard bag.

2. Remove face shield — grasp only the headband or back strap; never touch the front surface; place in biohazard or sharps-safe waste.

3. Remove the Tyvek suit — unzip slowly, roll the suit outward as you step out of it so contaminated surfaces fold inward; avoid snapping or shaking.

4. Remove boot covers — peel downward and inward; deposit in biohazard waste.

5. Remove inner gloves — use the glove-in-glove technique; deposit in biohazard waste.

6. Perform hand hygiene immediately — wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand rub if a sink is not immediately available, then wash as soon as possible.

The UV-reactive lotion used in today's drill simulates contamination on the outer glove. Any transfer visible under the UV lamp after doffing indicates a technique failure — contaminated material reached a surface it should not have.

Field Decontamination of Equipment

Non-porous equipment surfaces — camera bodies, rulers, flashlight casings — that contact the scene must be decontaminated before leaving the scene perimeter. A freshly prepared 10% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution is a widely accepted surface disinfectant effective against bloodborne pathogens. Apply it with a spray bottle, allow adequate contact time per the product label (commonly at least one minute), then wipe with a disposable towel. Discard towels in biohazard waste. Important: bleach solution degrades over time and in sunlight; always prepare a fresh batch for each use. Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners or acids — toxic chloramine or chlorine gas can result.

Documenting the Exposure-Control Log

Every decontamination event and any potential exposure must be recorded in an exposure-control log. A complete entry includes: date and time, location, name of technician, PPE worn, nature of potential exposure (if any), decontamination actions taken, and signature. Accurate documentation protects you legally, supports OSHA compliance, and creates a medical-follow-up trail if exposure is suspected.

Connecting to Your Credentials

The IAI CCSI and State Evidence Tech Cert both require demonstrated competency in scene safety procedures. Employers evaluating CCSI-certified candidates expect that PPE discipline is second nature. A contamination failure at a scene can compromise evidence, endanger the technician, and expose an agency to liability. Today's pass/fail standard — zero UV lotion transfer — mirrors real-world expectations.