Untested
USA Today crime reporter Gina Barton follows a detective who refused to give up on cases that slipped through the cracks of an untested rape-kit backlog.
Podcasts Like Untested
If you loved Untested, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Sexual Abuse, Forensic Science, Institutional failure shows.
Why listeners love Untested
A systemic-failure story — the rape-kit backlog explained through one detective's refusal to let a case go cold. Listeners rate its binge factor at 7/10. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
7/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Investigative, sobering, community-focused
Presentation approach
Episode Length
30-40 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo host
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if the rape-kit backlog and forensic-system failures interest you
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Untested
Pipeline
The Crime Desk's investigation into four professional divers sucked hundreds of feet into a Caribbean oil pipeline in 2022 — and the failing safety standards that put them there.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell broke the Murdaugh family saga before it became a national story, and kept reporting it deeper than anyone else.
Believed
Listeners who want to understand systemic institutional failure, survivor stories, and how Nassar's abuse was enabled so long; essential for anyone working in safeguarding or sports.
Matched with a Predator
BBC Disclosure's investigation into a predator who used dating apps to target and abuse women — the 2026 Best Serialised Podcast winner.
Camp Swamp Road
Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein investigates a 2023 South Carolina road-rage shooting quickly ruled self-defence under Stand Your Ground — and the buried evidence that complicates that story.
Buried Bones
Journalist Kate Winkler Dawson and forensic investigator Paul Holes dissect historical true crime cases through modern forensic insight, with excellent on-air chemistry.
British Scandal
The obvious companion to American Scandal — a season-by-season anthology of Britain's biggest political and institutional scandals.
Man in the Window: The Golden State Killer
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Paige St. John uncovers never-before-revealed details about the Golden State Killer, told through his victims' eyes.
Where Is George Gibney?
A landmark BBC/Second Captains investigation into an Olympic swimming coach accused of abuse, who vanished rather than face trial.
Two-Faced: John of God
Exactly Right and iHeart investigate João Teixeira de Faria, the Brazilian 'spiritual healer' known worldwide as John of God, accused of abuse by hundreds.
Shadow World: Stolen Years
BBC Radio 4's underworld-focused strand — this season, Stolen Years, examines lives derailed by crime and the institutions meant to prevent it.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Untested (original) | Serialized | United States | 7/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Murdaugh Murders Podcast | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Believed | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Matched with a Predator | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Camp Swamp Road | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| Buried Bones | Episodic | United States | 8/10 |
| British Scandal | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Untested?
The best alternatives to Untested are podcasts that share its Sexual Abuse, Forensic Science, Institutional failure focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Untested?
Untested is known for its investigative, sobering, community-focused approach to Sexual Abuse and Forensic Science. It scores 7/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of Untested?
Episodes of Untested are typically 30-40 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to Untested?
Untested is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Untested to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.