Ben Giles is a Crime Scene Cleaner, with extensive real-world experience dealing with the aftermath of serious, traumatic and often highly sensitive incidents. He attends fatalities, suicides and self-harm incidents, serious accidents, murders and other traumatic scenes, working in environments where discretion and professionalism are essential. He works alongside police, coroners, emergency services, investigators, property owners and other professionals, understanding the different roles and pressures involved at a scene.

Ben knows that the aftermath of a crime scene is not just forensic but there is a human reality too such as the possessions, environments and personal details left behind. His work starts after the police and forensic investigators have completed their work, when he has to assess what needs to be removed, cleaned, disinfected and restored. This can involve dealing with blood, bodily fluids, decomposition, biological contamination, odours and heavily contaminated environments, including scenes that have remained undiscovered for significant periods.

His natural empathy means he is well placed in dealing sensitively with victims, families, neighbours and distressed property owners, while still carrying out a difficult and sometimes unpleasant job.

As a writer himself (The Specialist), Ben can provide authors and TV writers with genuine insight into the less glamorous and rarely discussed details of crime scenes: smells, textures, practical problems, equipment, PPE, contamination and the emotional impact of entering someone’s private space after a traumatic event. He brings real-life operational experience rather than television or fictionalised assumptions, helping authors create believable characters, dialogue, procedures and crime-scene aftermaths.