Ep 10. The Unabomber

In season one, episode ten of The FBI Files, titled "The Unabomber," the focus is on one of the most notorious domestic terrorists in American history: Ted Kaczynski. The episode details how Kaczynski planted and detonated a series of bombs between 1978 and 1995 that killed three people and injured 23 others before finally being caught in 1996.

The episode begins with a reenactment of one of Kaczynski's bombings. On December 11, 1985, a bomb disguised as a package was delivered to the computer science department at the University of California, Berkeley. The bomb went off when a secretary tried to open it, causing serious injuries. The FBI was called in to investigate but initial leads did not lead anywhere as there were no eyewitnesses or solid evidence.

The FBI received a break in the case in 1994, when a copy of Kaczynski's manifesto was published in the Washington Post and the New York Times. The manifesto was titled "Industrial Society and Its Future" and outlined Kaczynski's philosophy and motivations for his bombings. Kaczynski threatened to keep bombing until publication of his manifesto was ceased.

Kaczynski's brother, David Kaczynski, read the manifesto and noticed striking similarities between his brother's writing style and the manifesto. David contacted the FBI and started sharing his concerns. With David's help, the FBI was able to obtain a warrant to search Kaczynski's Montana cabin, where they found ample evidence linking him to the bombings. This included bomb-making materials, notes on past bombings, and a partially completed bomb.

The episode details how the FBI was able to use forensic evidence to track Kaczynski's movements and actions. They were able to link him to specific bombs by examining the materials used to create them and the writing on the packages they were delivered in. The FBI was also able to determine that Kaczynski had built the bombs using his own unique methods and devices.

The episode also shows how the FBI built their case against Kaczynski. They conducted an intensive investigation, interviewing friends and family members and piecing together a timeline of his life. They were ultimately able to prove that Kaczynski was responsible for all of the bombings and convince him to plead guilty.

The episode ends with Kaczynski being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The narrator notes that the case against Kaczynski was one of the largest and most complex investigations in FBI history, involving hundreds of agents over 18 years.

Overall, "The Unabomber" is an intense and gripping episode that provides an in-depth look at how the FBI was able to bring down one of America's most notorious domestic terrorists. It showcases the investigative skills and dedication of the FBI agents involved, highlighting how they used forensic evidence and good old-fashioned police work to solve the case.