Best Investigative Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

True crime fans, unite!

It's creepy, mysterious, and macabre fun for everyone. Okay, well, not really. True crime is one of the few genres that seems to have people totally divided; you either love it or you hate it. Those who hate it, can't stand it. Those who love it? They get obsessive about it.

There are great true crime books, serial killer TV shows, and of course, movies about serial killers that people love to stream. As the true crime genre continues to grow, we're also starting to see genres within genres develop.

Investigative true crime, for example, focuses on the investigation and the work done by cops to help catch the perp. Love a good detective story or a documentary series based on crime investigations? Check out these investigative podcasts that have been gaining traction on the net right now.

Crime + Investigation is one of those podcasts that is a perfect match for people who are all about true crime. Everything from researching how major massacres like Jonestown happened to special speakers on forensic psychology are included here.

If you're looking for interesting, thoughtful ideas behind major crimes and criminal investigation techniques, Crime + Investigation will be a serious thrill for you to enjoy.

Perhaps one of the best investigative podcasts on the net right now, Criminal makes no qualms about laying all the gruesome little details about major murders, criminal investigations, and forensic studies.

Criminal's podcast has become somewhat of a cult classic. Part of it is because of the gritty details and rich storytelling, but another part of it deals with the sonorous voice of podcast host Phoebe Judge.

Soothing but palpably creepy, Criminal will have you enthralled.

We can't talk about investigative podcasts without talking about Serial. This was a smash hit that took over the podcast world around 2014, and quickly became the only podcast that people seemed to want to talk to. It's easy to see why, too.

Serial has some of the finest storytelling imaginable, with excellent editing, sound quality, and choices in topic. Listeners will tell you that this podcast will pull you in and get you invested in every character in it... and they'd be right.

If you're interested in listening into podcasts that serve up forensics with a side of comedy, you're going to enjoy this goodie. White Wine True Crime is what happens when you have two curious comediennes talk about horrific murders.

Both Kari and Caitlin end up giving out major zingers along the course of each episode. Expect to spill some wine due to laughter, if you feel like drinking along.

Flipping from investigation to investigation can be fun, but once in a while, you might want to take a look into the story of something a bit more mysterious—and a lot more in-depth. That's why Up and Vanished is such a great choice.

This is one of the only shows that zeroes in on a single case throughout the series. Up and Vanished is about highschooler Tara Grinstead, who vanished in 2005. Who kidnapped her? Why is the case so cold? What did investigators do? The more you hear, the more you want to see her come home.

Anyone who's ever taken a good look at organized crime can tell you that different groups have different—and very defined—cultures. Crimetown takes a unique route when it comes to investigative shows by taking a look at the crime culture in a different city every season.

Designed to be a serial story, every season of Crimetown shows the way investigations and reveals are experienced through those who are impacted by crime and corruption.

Some of the investigative podcasts floating around the net aren't really true crime, but rather, fiction that disguises itself as true crime. If you want to learn about real murders and real criminals, then you're going to have to check out True Crime Garage.

Though it's all about serious crimes, the hosts aren't overly serious about it. This podcast is laid back, offers listeners a chance to participate, and occasionally has a craft beer review added into the mix, too.

Someone Knows Something is a lot like listening to a true crime book on tape, except with a more personal touch. Each season is follows a narrative about a real crime that happened, but also features family members, investigation moments, and interviews with suspects.

This is one of those podcasts that takes you along for the ride during investigations and grieving. Expect way more emotion in this one than regular investigative podcasts. Someone Knows Something really works its way into your mind using its amazingly intimate clips.

Accused is a podcast that's based on allegedly "open and shut" cases of murders. It seems kind of strange and anti-climactic, until evidence suggests that these "obvious" cases really aren't as obvious as they appear to be.

When police seem to write off the real facts, Accused shows that not all is what it seems. When you listen to this podcast, expect to feel just a little bit more paranoid than you normally are.

Do you like to approach criminal investigations with a serious, sober attitude? If so, then you're going to enjoy Sword and Scale, which is one of the most stone-faced investigative podcasts on this list.

This podcast fully immerses you in the world of true crime, the justice system, and the hard work that law enforcement has to do in order to catch criminals in the act. High profile trials, cold cases, and serial killers are all covered here.