Podcast Tonight Awards 2026

"Untested" is a true crime podcast from USA TODAY that follows cold case detective Annie Harrison's relentless quest to bring an alleged serial rapist to justice by utilizing DNA profiles from previously untested rape kits . The podcast, hosted by crime reporter Gina Barton, pulls listeners into Harrison's investigation as she tracks serial rapists across different states, highlighting how the offender slipped through the cracks of the system and terrorized women . A central theme of the series is the transformative power of testing backlogged rape kits in solving cold cases, while also acknowledging the uncertainty of the criminal justice system where a guilty verdict is never guaranteed . The podcast is rooted in investigative journalism and debuted its entire season in September 2025.