False prophesying: The downfall of Ted Kaczynski

Ted Kaczynski's was a cold case that took 18 years to solve. During that time, the country was gripped by the story of the radical ideologist who had persistently wanted the world to understand his forewarnings. His bold statements were made on letter bombs that victimized civilians associated with universities and airports, earning him the moniker "Unabomber." By 1982, as Ted's bombs became more destructive, he became a national threat.

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Ted Kaczynski was a child prodigy recognized by the academe but was at the same time alienated by peers because he was "different." By age 16, he was admitted to Harvard on full scholarship. Some say that Ted had honed many of his ideologies during his stay at the university, which during the 1950s was immersed in a culture of existentialist despair. This had possibly developed Ted's bipartite take on humanism and science. Students would study Joseph Conrad, one of Ted's favorite writers, who created a satire about bomb-wielding anarchists against science, something that would become exactly Ted's character.

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Ted had made very public pronouncements, calling the industrial revolution a disaster for the human race and technology an instrument in the creation of a sick society that impedes human potential. The manifesto that was published at theThe New York Times led investigators to Ted's whereabouts. He was finally arrested in 1996, and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Adam Quirk is a criminal justice professional and a licensed private investigator who has worked with the DEA and FBI. Learn more about his careerhere.

Creative Heists: Famous Cases Of Art Theft

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An artwork with the signature of a famous artist could be worth millions. Usually housed in museums, these masterpieces are monitored to ensure that they will incur no damage. However, once these works are lost, they are harder to recover due to the prevalence of art forgery. Here are some famous cases of art theft:

1. The Stewart Gardner Museum Heist

In 1990, robbers entered the backdoor in disguises and took all their hands could hold for the next 90 minutes with very little fight required. With works by Manet and Rembrandt and masterpieces from the Shang Dynasty among others, it is estimated that almost $500 million-worth of art pieces has been stolen from the place. Up to this day, some of the frames are still hanging in the museum in hopes that they will be restored one day. This case is considered the biggest art heist in history.

2. Missing Mona Lisa

In 1911, Vincenzo Peruggia stole one of the world’s most famous painting—the Mona Lisa. As a former employee of the Louvre, the thief had access to the gallery and successfully stole the prized painting. Unlike other heists, this one had a noble goal. Peruggia believes that the artwork should be displayed in Italy as the country was Da Vinci’s homeland. After a few years of trying to sell the artwork, a potential buyer reported Peruggia to authorities, and the Mona Lisa was restored to its original place at the Louvre.

3. Munch Museum Robbery

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The Norwegian expressionist Edvard Munch is best known for his work, The Scream. Though half of the four parts has been stolen, a dramatic robbery in 2004 allowed two gunmen to get away with one version of The Scream and another artwork called the Madonna. In 2006, the suspects were caught and the two artworks were returned to the museum with damages.

Stealing a piece of high-culture can be worth millions. Thankfully, museums all over the world have heightened their security measures, especially for prized and iconic pieces.

Adam Quirk has previously worked for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, excelling in leading drug diversion and solving violent crimes. Visit this website for more on Adam and his firm, Stealth Advise.