Finally getting an opportunity to "catch-up"! Read the thread & made a few notes that might help us stay the course:
Drowning: frequently there is a foam/froth @ the mouth, fluid is within the resp. tract, often seen only in the alveoli of the lungs(either "visible" or on microscopic analysis. For a reference: (
http://www.ask.com/science/function-alveoli-e29b3e12a34439f)
"shaken baby": or another term, brain injury! Trauma is evident when the brain is dissected/or even overtly visible when the brain is exposed! The contre-coup injury causes dural hematomas (bruising & blood clots within the brains lining), brain swelling and frequently/usually issues within the ocular area/cavity. Sometimes the external bruising is not noticed until hours later, even days!
chemical ingestion: Foreign substances may/can present as oral cavity, esophageal damage, each depending on the caustic nature of the substance. Fingertip & skin damage may also be present if the victim attempts to "claw out" or vomit the substance. Liver & kidney tissue damage might be evident on gross but definitely on microscopic analysis, depending on the substance and/or duration of exposure.
CO poisoning: "cherry red" coloration of the skin, elevation of specific hemoglobin type in the blood, significant changes in cardio-thoracic tissues on microscopic examination.
Medications (legal or otherwise!): Possible vomitus present in the resp. tract, possible residual material in the gastric contents but frequently NO external visible clues other than sometimes a "frothing" @ the mouth. Testing of body fluids & tissues for classes of drugs via screening techniques and/or GC-MS.
PS: urine screens: Testing for a OCME customized panel or for "routine" drugs of abuse like the DOT or employment screens, usually done immediately after/or during internal autopsy examination, has specific "cut-off" levels within the testing protocol therefore a secondary or tertiary protocol was probably used in this case. The urine screen is exactly that, a "screen" that results in presumptive positive reactions which require a more specific test for confirmation. Other body fluids & tissues are tested by more specific, time intensive testing protocols.
Phosphine gas/meth. exposure: IF the meth product had been ingested, it will show up in the routine drug testing as a metabolite. The phosphine gas produced while making the "stuff" does require a highly specialized collection method & testing equipment (HS-GC/NPD).
IMHO: Both the blanket & leggings are shown on "butcher paper" backgrounds, butcher paper being the surface upon which evidence envelopes/bags are opened in order to preserve & collect any ancillary evidence material present within the clothing.
Regarding the time required to complete body fluid/tissue studies: here's a news feature regarding another NE case:
http://www.ask.com/science/function-alveoli-e29b3e12a34439f
And YES, a "rush" was put on the laboratory analysis (aka it "bumped" other cases & folks did OT!)