Detecting threat materials used in explosives is performed by receiving a sample, and selecting an area of interest on the sample suspected of containing a threat material indicative of an explosive. Detection also includes interrogating the area of interest with a Raman laser producing a Raman spectrum, and comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region in the Raman spectrum to a first predetermined threshold. Detection further includes performing a verification, if the determination indicates that the area of interest includes the threat material, by checking the interrogated area of interest for a secondary indicator of the presence of the threat material, by comparing an amplitude of a second spectral region in the Raman spectrum, which is different from the first spectral region in the Raman spectrum, to a second predetermined threshold, and activating an indicator if the verification indicates that the area of interest contains the threat material.