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much has been made about the uc berkeley student who stole his professor's laptop supposedly to look at the exam. major news networks picked up the story when the professor made a statement about the theft during at a lecture that was webcast around the world. read the transcript here. basically the prof said they could track the computer because of the wireless card. supposedly the computer contained top secret information that could result in federal prison time for the thief - when caught.

the prof was obviously trying to scare a confession because he had no idea how to get his computer back. had the info on the computer been so important and if they had all the information they claimed, the thief would have been apprehended and the computer returned. why authorities would send messages and play games with suspects if they had enough evidence to make an arrest.

i also find it amusing that the prof threatened the student with the wrath of the FBI, then of the securities and exchange commission. as if the SEC does anything either than slap people on the wrist.

anyways if you are the student - call the bluff, he has nothing on you. obviously the right thing to do is return the computer. since you're not exactly the most honest person, and you have questionable moral judgement (you stole the computer) you can do what a criminal should do. that is, wipe off your fingerprints, destroy the computer, dispose of it carefully (although I doubt that they will give this case the csi treatment) then ace the exam.