A device and method for determining antimicrobial resistance status of a microorganism from a positive sample bottle is provided. The device may include a housing having a chamber for receiving a vial containing a sample; a light source positioned to direct light through a side of the chamber; and a photodetector positioned such that light transmitted or scattered by the sample is sensed by the photodetector. The device may also include a heat source and/or an agitation device. The method includes providing the device, loading a sample from an automated sample culture system into the vial; interrogating the vial using the light source and the photodetector; and determining the antimicrobial resistance status of the microorganism in the sample based on the interrogating step. The method may also include heating and/or agitating the sample.