A user command communicating at least one log record search key is received from a user. A first set of one or more log records matching the log record search key is retrieved. Utilizing one or more fields from these log records, additional search criteria is dynamically composed. A second set of one or more log records matching the additional search criteria is retrieved from the DBMS log file wherein this second set of log records is logically related to the first set of log records and wherein the second set of log records is void of the log record search key. A log retrieval routine or tool deploying the above method is hereinafter referred to as a "self-learning log retrieval tool".