I posted this earlier on the Rumor thread. I was asked to re-post it out here.. I had no clue there were 10 pages devoted to this.
All thoughts are based upon the premise that Michael Baden knows something about Caylee's hair testing that we don't know. Otherwise, there is no reason for a discussion of this at all.
First, since probably none of us are Forensic Chemists, and since we definitely do NOT have the chemical composition of any of Caylee's hair remains, we have to consider what COULD be possibly meant by his statement. Also, there's the fact that while intact Chloroform as a chemical compound may not have been found within the hair shaft as it grew, indicating long term exposure, the metabolites of Chloroform, if found in larger amounts not usually found in the same concentrations in a small child's hair WOULD be significant.
With that disclaimer out of the way, these are my thoughts as posted on the Casey Rumor thread:
Obviously there are different things he could have meant. These are what I could come up with.. While we are dscussing Chloroform in her hair, I think it's relative to the discussion to mention the possible presence of Xanax ( a prescription sedative believed to have been given to Caylee on a continuing basis by Casey) also. As to which scenario is more likely, I lean towards the first scenario, because I believe it is the most likely one:
1) Caylee's hair found in the trunk had Chloroform liquid coating part of it, ( much like hair spray coats hair) meaning that her body was placed in an area of the trunk where Chloroform was spilled, or that she vomited Chloroform and it got on her hair. She could also have already been deceased and been placed on an area of carpeting or other material soaked with Chloroform.
2) Caylee's loose hair ( like the one with the death band) in the trunk was tested and was found to be positive for the systemic presence of chloroform metabolites in the hair shaft.This would prove long-term dosing.
Addressing the issue of additional Xanax dosing for a moment- We might also find that other sedating drugs were present upon chemical analysis of the hair, such as a benzodiazapine like Xanax. ( I think Caylee's "Zannys" in Casey-speak was Xanax) . I hope DEA records from pharmacies and all family info pertaining to Xanax quantities in the home for the last year of Caylee's life have been obtained and reviewed. I hope records are released at trial if any discrepency or duplication of prescrbing at multiple Pharmacies was found. I want to know whose Xanax Casey was stealing (if it wasn't Casey's prescription),
and if someone in the family knew they had doses missing from their prescription bottle or bottles and silently complied with Casey. Depending upon the dosage prescribed for an adult, as little as 1/8th of a single pill probably would have caused altered consciousness in a baby.
3) Caylee's decomposed remains with hair attached were tested and the long-term presence of Chloroform in her system was detected in her hair. Casey's Internet searches on making Chloroform point directly to intent to harm by illegal drugging. Any searches in the home which turned up chemicals used to make the Chloroform and which are not usually found in a home would also be significant. As we know, hair does often retain certain metabolites of drugs and other chemicals which our bodies processed. Again, it's possible that Chloroform + a Rx sedative would be found.
One interesting thing that I just realized when thinking about the possibility of determining length of ingestion of drugs is that there is video and photographic evidence of the total length of Caylee'e hair days before most people beleive she was killed. The videos and photos of her with her great-grandfather at the nursing home. IF Dr. G was correct in being as excited about the hair as she seemed to be at the time of Caylee's remains discovery, it's possible that some hair was fully intact in length despite the months of exposure to the elements. That would be a best- case scenario and Caylee's own body would speak as a witness to what was done to her over a period of time.
The first liklihood of what Michael Baden may have meant is not that alarming or earth-shattering, because we know Chloroform was found in the trunk in greater concentration than those of the metabolites which are found in a decomposing corpse without a history of exposure or ingestion of Chloroform drugging. It would confirm that Caylee contacted Chloroform which backs up the forensic analysis of the trunk gasses. It's still sad, very sad.
The second liklihood of concentrations of any drug in Caylee's hair shaft structure, whether found in the car trunk, on the remains months later, or both would be huge. Neither one could be explained in any measure by the defense, and it would totally blow any " accidental overdose" theory out of the water. This
may be one reason Baez is already questioning evidence collection in the car.
In any case, if true, I believe the evidence , if present, will benefit the prosecution at trial, IMO.
Maria
