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. The method further comprises calculating at least one second
function based, at least in part, on at least some of the first
functions, and determining whether the object at least potentially
contains material in a class of materials based, at least in part, on the
second function. The class of materials may be materials having an atomic
number greater than the predetermined atomic number, for example. The
second function may be compared to a criterion, which may be a threshold,
for example. Systems are also disclosed.