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New Ally in Anthony Sowell Case: Bugs Found on 11 Corpses in Cleveland Home

(CBS/ AP)
Photo: Anthony Sowell.

CLEVELAND (CBS/AP) Investigators trying to learn the horrible fate of 11 bodies found in suspected serial killer Anthony Sowell's Cleveland home are enlisting a rather unusual ally – insects that were crawling on the corpses.

PICTURES: Anthony Sowell's Home of Horror

Entomologist Joe Keiper is one of the few scientists who study both insects and crime scenes. The coroner called Keiper to the Cleveland home to help estimate when the victims died, by analyzing the types and number of insects found on the remains.

Keiper arrived on the scene Oct. 30 with surgical tweezers and glass vials in a fishing tackle box to gather specimens. He told The Plain Dealer newspaper of Cleveland that he hopes the "bug evidence" is useful but it's too early to say.

Remains of 9 of the 11 people have so far been identified.

Sowell has been charged with five counts of aggravated murder.

PICTURES: Anthony Sowell's Home of Horror

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