痕跡 (konseki) means “trace” | MotiTan Japanese Dictionary

More examples

彼の発言には迷いの痕跡がありません。kare no hatsu gen ni wa mayo i no kon seki ga a ri ma se n

There is no trace of hesitation in his remarks.

The core sense is a sign left behind that shows something existed or happened.

跡ato: A remaining mark that shows where something existed or took place.
形跡keiseki: Evidence of a past action, event, or condition.

何かが存在したり起こったりしたことを示す、あとやしるし。nan ka ga son zai shi ta ri o ko tta ri shi ta ko to o shime su a to ya shi ru shi

痕 (kon, "mark or scar") and 跡 (seki, "trace or track") combine to form 痕跡 (konseki), meaning a remaining sign of something that existed or happened.

痕跡 (konseki) is more formal than 跡 (ato) and commonly appears in reports about history, archaeology, or investigations.