LAS VEGAS -- FOX5 talked to Nick Teta, a military expert and former Navy Seal, who specializes in chemical bio-defense, about how investigations are conducted into toxic substances, such as ricin. He broke down how these types of situations are handled.

"Ricin is easier to make than meth. It's made from castor beans that grow in the wild. Inhaling or injecting it can be deadly," Teta said.

He said depending on the severity of the illness, it can permanently affect a person, because it is a multi-system toxin.

Until the man who had the ricin in his room gets out of a coma, many questions remain unanswered.

“What's this guy's affiliation? Was he just a lone guy that was angry at somebody or something?” Teta asked.

Teta said investigators will look at the man's relationships and contents in the room.

“Just looking at the stuff, what materials -- were there tech manuals? What's going on with his computer? What Web site has he been visiting? Obviously cell phone records, calls to and from the hotel room. They know all this, but again, that's how you unravel it,” Teta said.