The system and method of the present invention relate to characterizing lipoproteins in a sample. The system includes a light source that delivers electromagnetic energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths to the sample and a sensor that senses an intensity spectrum which emerges from the sample when the sample is illuminated by the light source. A processor determines a chemical composition of the sample to determine the presence of lipoprotein particles. The processor then characterizes lipoproteins that are within in the sample by deconvoluting the intensity spectrum into a scattering spectrum and absorption spectrum. The method includes illuminating the sample with electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range of wavelengths and sensing the electromagnetic energy that emerges from the sample. The method further includes transducing the sensed electromagnetic energy which emerges from the sample into an intensity spectrum that determines the types of lipoproteins that are within the sample.