You should be able to test the switch rather easily. Pull it. Put your meter on continuity and test the switch leads. when its off you should have an open and when its turned to on you should have a closure and the meter will give off a tone.
Dude got what he deserved. Hopefully he gets more in prison. Lesson? If you're gonna be a sick ass scumbag, don't have monitored cameras installed in your home.
the laser just pinpoints your position in a dark room. the bad guy isnt looking at his chest, he's looking at where the laser is coming from, and shooting at it.