def _handle_format_inconsistency(obj):
    """
    Handle format inconsistency.

    The inconsistency is the usage of string values for the 'trace' header
    parameter which is specified to have a boolean value.

    Parameters
    ----------
    obj : object
        The hierarchical object-structure.

    Returns
    -------
    obj : object
        The updated hierarchical object-structure.

    See Also
    --------
    build_object : Function using the present function.

    """
    if obj['attrs']['fileType'].lower() == 'image':
        for buffer_ in obj['buffers']:
            if 'trace' in buffer_['attrs'].keys() and isinstance(buffer_[
                'attrs']['trace'], str):
                if buffer_['attrs']['trace'].lower() == 'trace':
                    buffer_['attrs']['trace'] = True
                elif buffer_['attrs']['trace'].lower() == 'retrace':
                    buffer_['attrs']['trace'] = False
    return obj
