跡あとづける

ichidan verb, transitive verb

trace; track; follow the trail of

Used for following physical traces, historical records, or investigating the background of something. Often implies a systematic or careful pursuit of evidence.

• 警けい察さつは犯はん人にんの足あし取どりを跡あとづけた。

  The police traced the suspect's movements.

• この論ろん文ぶんは、その思し想そうの歴れき史し的てきな変へん遷せんを跡あとづけている。

  This paper traces the historical development of that idea.