Method and system for defect detection in manufacturing integrated circuits. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method for identifying one or more sources for possible causing manufacturing detects in integrated circuits. The method includes a step for providing a plurality of semiconductor substrates. The method includes a step for processing the plurality of semiconductor substrates in a plurality of processing steps using a plurality of processing tools. The method additionally includes a step for providing a database, which includes data associated with the processing of the plurality of semiconductor substrates. The method further includes a step for testing the plurality of semiconductor wafers after the processing of the plurality of semiconductor substrates. Additionally, the method includes a step for detecting at least one defect characteristic associated with the plurality of the semiconductor substrates that have been processed. Moreover, the method includes a step for identifying a set of processing steps. For example, the set of processing step are possibly associated with the defect characteristic.