Various methods and systems for detection of selected defects particularly in relatively noisy inspection data are provided. One method includes applying a spatial filter algorithm to raw inspection data acquired across an area on a substrate to determine a first portion of the raw inspection data that has a higher probability of being a selected type of defect than a second portion of the raw inspection data. The selected type of defect includes a non-point defect. The method also includes generating a raw two-dimensional map illustrating the first portion of the raw inspection data. In addition, the method includes searching the raw two-dimensional map for an event that has spatial characteristics that approximately match spatial characteristics of the selected type of defect. The method further includes determining if the event corresponds to a defect having the selected type.