A scanning device that has a housing including an opaque wall configured to position an imaging device (e.g., still or video camera) to capture an image of a tangible object, a staging area (e.g., transparent wall, opening) opposite of the opaque wall, and an opaque body extending between the opaque wall and the staging area. The scanning device has a chamber that enables the imaging device to capture the image relative to the staging area. A focal distance from the imaging device to the staging area enables capturing a physical characteristic (e.g., a color, size, shape, texture, pattern) of the tangible object in the image at a resolution that enables ascertaining an attribute (e.g., authenticity, purity, or quality) of the tangible object. The opaque body can have an expandable structure to increases or decrease a focal distance to the tangible object.