TraceBase; A database structure for forensic trace analysis

A data structure is proposed that can store forensic data obtained by experts from different disciplines and acquired using different instruments. This data structure, called TraceBase, is congruent with the forensic examination in the laboratory. We describe the design as well as its planned introduction in casework. The back-end of TraceBase is based on PostgreSQL and can be accessed by front-end applications such as the open-source LibreOffice office suite. The back-end regulates the flexible and robust storage of data, as well as the relation between items, samples, and analyses. The front-end applications allow the user to enter or retrieve data in an easy fashion, while the modular structure ensures that different aspects, such as the data entry, the processing and reporting of entered data, can be optimised individually. Additional analyses can be introduced and linked to items or samples already present. The database is designed such that data from several sources, different forensic disciplines and data acquired by different analytical techniques can be entered. When data needs to be retrieved for further analysis, a subcollection can be filtered for use in a specific situation.