In one embodiment, a method of examining contents of an object is
disclosed comprising scanning an object at first and second radiation
energies, detecting radiation at the first and second energies, and
calculating a function of the radiation detected at the first and second
energies, for corresponding pixels. A pixel is a projection of radiation
through the object onto the detector. The first functions of a plurality
of pixels are grouped and a second function of the group is analyzed to
determine whether the object at least potentially contains material
having an atomic number greater than the predetermined atomic number. The
second function may be compared to a third function, which may be a
threshold having a value based, at least in part, on material having a
predetermined atomic number. Systems are also disclosed.