A method of identifying and retrieving component digital images for component fault analysis includes generating a known-fault database of digital images of known faults of a previously analyzed component and corresponding remedial actions. The method also includes accessing the known-fault database with a digital image of a current fault of a new component. The method additionally includes comparing the digital image of the current fault with the digital images in the known-fault database based on a computed target characteristic. The method also includes sorting the digital images in the known-fault database in order based on a magnitude of the computed target characteristic for each respective digital image in the known-fault database relative to the digital image of the current fault. The method further includes outputting the sorted digital images to facilitate correlation of the current fault to a particular known fault and identifying the corresponding remedial action.