Co-created and written by Val McDermid and Amelia Bullmore, and based upon an original idea by McDermid, it originally premiered on Alibi on 9 December 2019.

[5][6] Traces focuses on three female forensic professionals, Emma Hedges, Sarah Gordon and Kathy Torrance, working together at the fictional Scottish Institute of Forensic Science and Anatomy (SIFA) at the fictional University of Tayside in Dundee, Scotland, as they uncover the truth of a murder case and bring a killer to justice.

[17][18] The theme tune is a cover of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Valerie Broussard.

[19] Stuart Heritage reviewing on behalf of The Guardian rated the series three out of five, and whilst acknowledging the series is loaded with talent, said "this is what happens when TV runs out of new shows".

[22] The Times awarded the series two out of five, with Carol Midgley saying that "the biggest crime here so far is a lack of flavour".