The Best True Crime Podcasts That Aren't Exploitative
2024-10-09 · 5 min read
True crime is one of podcasting's most popular genres and also its most ethically fraught. Many shows treat victims as plot devices and killers as entertainment. But the best true crime podcasts handle their subjects with rigor, empathy, and a genuine commitment to justice rather than sensationalism.
In the Dark by APM Reports is investigative journalism at its finest. Season two examined the case of Curtis Flowers, a Black man tried six times for the same crime in Mississippi. Host Madeleine Baran's reporting directly contributed to Flowers' release. This is true crime that changes outcomes.
Serial's first season in 2014 launched the true crime podcast boom by examining the case of Adnan Syed with unprecedented depth and nuance. Host Sarah Koenig's willingness to admit uncertainty set a standard that most subsequent shows failed to match.
Bear Brook by New Hampshire Public Radio tells the story of four murder victims found in two barrels in a state park. The investigation spans decades and involves genealogical DNA technology. Reporter Jason Moon's telling is restrained, methodical, and ultimately devastating.
Criminal by Phoebe Judge takes a different approach entirely. Each episode tells a standalone story connected to crime but not always violent crime. The show uses the crime framework to explore human nature with warmth and curiosity rather than morbid fascination.
Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom focuses exclusively on cases of innocent people convicted of crimes they didn't commit. The show centers the wrongfully convicted person's experience rather than the crime itself. It's true crime that serves justice rather than exploiting tragedy.
