diff --git a/backend/src/utilities/database.py b/backend/src/utilities/database.py
index 6c77290..fec4c74 100644
--- a/backend/src/utilities/database.py
+++ b/backend/src/utilities/database.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class DatabasePool:
 
         try:
             async with self._pool.acquire() as conn:
-                await conn.execute(
+                new_row = await conn.fetchrow(
                     """
                     INSERT INTO packets(
                         iface,
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ class DatabasePool:
                         length,
                         raw
                     ) VALUES($1,$2,$3,$4,$5,$6,$7,$8,$9,$10,$11,$12)
+                    RETURNING id, timestamp
                     """,
                     pkt_info["iface"],
                     pkt_info.get("src_mac"),
@@ -110,6 +111,11 @@ class DatabasePool:
         except Exception:
             logger.exception("DB insert failed")
             return
+        # Update the dictionary with the DB-generated values
+        if new_row:
+            pkt_info["id"] = new_row["id"]
+            # Convert timestamp to ISO string for JSON serialization in WebSockets
+            pkt_info["timestamp"] = new_row["timestamp"].isoformat()
 
         # notify broadcaster (non-blocking). broadcaster is expected to be thread-safe.
         if self.broadcaster: