A system and method are provided for inspecting an aircraft window for anomalies by directing light that is polarized at a first angle at the window and analyzing light emerging from the window. The light emerging from the window may be polarized at a second angle. One or both of the angles may be adjustable and, in a nominal position, the second angle may be rotated about 90-degrees relative to the first angle. A camera may record the light as polarized at the first and second angles. For a window installed on an aircraft, a vacuum hood may produce a pressure on the window. An analysis subsystem may be coupled to the camera to receive and analyze the image from the camera of light as polarized at the first and second angles. The analysis subsystem may use a database of information relating to light patterns for anomalous and non-anomalous windows.