Andrew Whitmarsh

Studies estimate nearly 5 percent of people in the U.S. are hoarders of some kind. Most of us know of at least one: an elderly aunt or uncle or even a neighbor whose strange collection of grocery bags, bottles, old copies of the local paper and magazines pile up.

In some situations, crime scene cleanup technicians contend with more than just blood, biological materials and the danger of bloodborne pathogen exposure.

In the news and on the Internet, it’s next to impossible to avoid the mention of “Ebola.” Misinformation and panic characterize much of the discussion, as Americans rightly fear what could happen were the deadly virus to reach our shores.

When a call comes in for a restoration or remediation job, the team suits up and prepares the truck.

It is estimated that 1.2 million people in the U.S. suffer from compulsive hoarding.