[daten]

There are tricks for unlocking it with something as simple as rubber bands. ( http://blackbag.nl/?p=1315 )

There are also tools for sale that go under the door for manipulating such locks. I imagine those could be used to replace the chain. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAkJRpKeyYg )

It should be even easier than unlocking it since you have access from the inside to set something up that you could pull from the outside after closing the door.

[kevinskii]

The curious thing isn't so much that it could be done, but that they apparently were able to do it without spending any time fidgeting with the door.

The best way I could think of would involve something like a bent coat hanger, a chewed piece of bubble gum, and a small inspection mirror stuck through the crack in the door. It would take a while even for a practiced hand.

[daten]

That still sounds like a solution when you're restricted to only accessing one side of the door. They might be able to rig something up before they leave the room that is much easier to execute after they close the door and without looking.

A string with adhesive, attached to the end of the chain, run over to the open door and under the edge of the locking plate. Then under the door. Close the door, pull the string, door is locked and string comes off. No evidence, takes two seconds. It might need a little tweaking but sounds plausible.