Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining distinct timing offsets between an input port and output ports of a multiport optical device. An optical signal is injected at an input port of the device to obtain output signals at the output ports, which are injected into downstream fibers. An optical multipath return signal is received via the input port of the device, including a combination of measured events including reflections, backscatter, or both. A number of similar events expected in the number of downstream optical fibers is calculated to obtain an expected multipath signature based on configuration data. Results of the optical multipath return signal are then compared to the expected multipath signature to obtain comparison results. One of the measured events is distinguished from the others based on the first comparison results and the distinct timing offsets. Other embodiments are disclosed.