A sample is illuminated to thereby generate a plurality of first interacted photons selected. The first interacted photons are assessed using a visible imaging device to thereby determine an area of interest in the sample. The area of interest is illuminated to thereby generate a plurality of second interacted photons. The second interacted photons are assessed using a spectroscopic device to thereby generate a SWIR data set representative of said area of interest. A database is searched wherein said database comprises a plurality of known SWIR data sets associated with an explosive material. The data sets comprise at least one of: a plurality of SWIR spectra and a plurality of spatially accurate wavelength resolved SWIR images. An explosive material in the area of interest is thereby identified as a result of the search.