Will advances in technology help find the stolen art?

I'm a junky for news about the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist (a theft of 13 pieces of art which included three Rembrandts and a Vermeer and remains the world's largest art theft in dollar value). So, as we approach the 20 anniversary of that fateful night, I'm thrilled to see the investigation continues in full force. New leads from the examination of forensic evidence may result in finding the whereabouts of the stolen art... not to mention who did it.

As reported in the Boston Globe:

Because of advances in DNA analysis since the 1990 robbery, the lead agent in the case, Geoffrey Kelly, decided to send evidence to the FBI's scientific laboratory in Quantico, Va., a spokeswoman in the FBI’s Boston office said.

Kelly said he could not disclose the type of evidence to be reviewed, but others familiar with the case said it would probably include long strips of duct tape used to tie up the museum's two night watchmen, whom the thieves overpowered to get access to the artwork.

Read the whole BG article here.

And for those of you who might have any information... The Gardner Museum has offered a $5 million reward for the return of the paintings in good condition, and the US attorney's office has stated that it will not bring charges of possession of stolen property against anyone who returns the artwork. The statute of limitations for participation in the actual theft expired five years after the crime.

Photo above: A security guard stood outside the Dutch Room of the Gardner Museum a few days after artwork was stolen. (Associated Press File 1990)

Comments

[Maureen E. Doallas]

It would be exciting if the paintings turned up.

My guess would be that the paintings went into a private collection somewhere. My grandfather was a dealer in signed Tiffany glass. He had an extraordinary collection, which he showed only by appointment. He was away at a show and his home was broken into. Only specific signed pieces were taken. He always believed someone who'd come by appointment determined which pieces were most desirable and knew their location in the house. Despite investigation that went on for years, the pieces were never found.

[Rob Jones]

Maureen - It would be fantastic if the paintings "appeared". I would love it too.

Sad but fascinating story about your grandfather. It always amazes me why thieves choose to steal art. I think there would be an easier thing to steal and make money from.

[Robert Miller]

I always love a good mystery, and hopefully this is one that will get solved. On the internet art gets stolen often. I have found a tool called tineye ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TinEye ) can help find those who do steal copyrighted images of mine.