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Evidence search resuming at Cleveland bodies house

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By THOMAS J. SHEERAN, The Associated Press Updated 8:46 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2009

CLEVELAND — Police investigating the discovery of 10 bodies and a skull at the home of a registered sex offenderreturned to the scene Wednesday to search for more evidence based on clues provided by an FBI high-tech sweep.

Police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho said investigators with the city police and buildings department, FBI and coroner's office had search warrants to dig by hand in areas of interest identified last week by FBI thermal-imaging and radar technology.

Thermal imaging can detect heat sources like decomposing materials and loosely packed ground that might indicate a grave. Dirt that has been turned over radiates heat differently than compacted soil.

In addition, Anthony Sowell's home will be examined with bomb squad X-ray apparatus and miniature probing cameras, Stacho said.

Sowell, 50, has been charged with five counts of aggravated murder and, separately, with rape and kidnapping in an alleged Sept. 22 attack that led to the initial search of his home Oct. 29. He served 15 years in prison for a 1989 attempted rape.

On Saturday, FBI agents used rakes and shovels in Sowell's backyard, crawled beneath the front porch and removed bricks and other debris. An agent marked locations with orange paint, apparently for closer investigation.

One day earlier, agents worked at a house next door to Sowell's, doing thermal imaging, X-rays and other tests.

Police discovered the first two bodies and a freshly dug grave after officers came to investigate a woman's report that she had been raped there. Sowell had fled the home and was arrested two days later.

Ten of the 11 victims, all women, have been identified. All were black and many were homeless or living alone and had drug or alcohol addictions. Most apparently had been strangled.

Sowell has been accused of luring women to his home with the promise of alcohol or drugs. Authorities say he then strangled them and left their bodies in his house or buried in the backyard, apparently creating a recurring stench often blamed on a nearby sausage shop.

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November 18, 2009 01:43 PM EST

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