True crime podcasts offer new possibilities for in-depth journalism. Just read the labels first

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (CN) — In the first episode of his true-crime podcast, Chris Lambert offered listeners a promise regarding a 23-year-old missing persons case in San Luis Obispo, California: “I’m going to try to learn everything I can about Kristin Smart and what happened to her in the only way that I know,” he said. “By talking to people.” Over the next four years, the musician and audio engineer did just that, interviewing scores of people for his …