Hero -
1. Note that the 'countdown clock' display is substantially different than the kid's. His is a standard LCD panel, the pictured one uses LEDs. They DO NOT MATCH. The only reason to emphasize 'countdown' like in the article you post is as a 'SCARE TACTIC!!!'
Hell, I found the
one pictured on Amazon. Do you really figure that the kid 'decomposed' a $160(on sale! regularly $308) timer that wouldn't even fit in his case?(the numbers on that one are 4" high, it wouldn't fit inside the kid's pencil case). It also wouldn't have the 9V battery lead for backup, given that the one pictured has a rechargable 8 hour battery for operation unplugged.
Instead, how about this
RCA Digital Alarm Clock. $11.25 off amazon, 1.4" red letters, which would fit in the case as shown, takes a 9V battery as backup, etc... Note: I'm not saying this is the source alarm clock, I figure 'any' old one would do, and there are thousands of models that use essentially the same internal components.
2. The positive and negative leads they mention look to go to the transformer, then to the power plug. Ergo, if you hooked anything up to them to 'charge anything when the alarm goes off', they wouldn't go off when the alarm goes, they'll go off when the device is plugged in.
3. 'What is this?' - We don't know. It looks a bit like a silicone packet, which is used to absorb moisture. Given that it's not attached to anything, why does it matter?
4. It's not a briefcase or suitcase, it's a pencil case, substantially smaller. You could probably easily fit a dozen pencil cases into a standard briefcase. Even more into something deserving of being called a 'suitcase'. Note how large the plug is. Ergo, calling it 'briefcase' means he's not paying attention. Graduating to 'suitcase' indicates to me that the writer is deliberately trying to scare people by over-stating the size of the device.
5. Only the LED being visible? If I was setting up such a clock, I'd probably mount it much like the kid did. Still, the display is very much NOT visible unless the case is open, unlike the writer's supposition, at which point, seeing that it's empty and only has the circuit boards and power components for the electrical stuff is easy. I can tell that the panel is designed to light up INSIDE the case as it's mounted because I can see the 88:88 pattern. You can't see that from the back side(and yes, I've disassembled a few clocks in my time.)
6. Sure, he more decomposed a clock than 'built' one. but I'm asking if you have any evidence that it was a 'COUNTDOWN clock' as opposed to a regular 'alarm clock' most people have next to their bed, and is readily available in most general goods stores for under $20, depending on how fancy it is.