Algorithms for image processing that will form the brain of the SHUTTLE toolkit. The algorithms will process the images acquired by the microscope and classify the different types of microtraces present on the tape. The results of the algorithms are a table that contains a number of parameter vectors for every microtrace, such as the coordinates on the tape, the colour, polarisation characteristics, morphology, and class (e.g. ‘blood’, ‘fibre’, ‘glass’, etc.). These algorithms can be executed via a GUI (graphical user interface). Via this GUI, users can execute the algorithms developed within the SHUTTLE project. In addition, they can develop and share additional algorithms and plug them into the GUI. Such additional algorithms may serve to classify additional microtraces, or to make a better subclassification. As an example, the SHUTTLE toolkit might classify a microtrace as a ‘hair’, while additional algorithms can discriminate and classify ‘scalp hairs, ‘pubic hairs’, ‘body hair’, or even discriminate hairs from different animals.