Scientists to test for presence of drugs

DETECTIVES have ordered toxicology tests to be carried out on the bodies of all five prostitutes found murdered near Ipswich in the past two weeks.

Police are unsure how Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and Annette Nicholls died. They say Anneli Alderton was strangled and Paula Clennell died as a result of compression on the neck.

But Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull, who is heading the investigation, said scientists would test all five women for the presence of drugs or other unusual substances.

“Toxicology tests can show whether there is anything in the bloodstream which might have caused death or reveal unexpected substances,” said DCS Gull.

“Normally toxicology tests take around six weeks.”

Police have said that there were no signs of “significant trauma” on any of the women’s bodies.