A method and system as described herein provides for detecting certain anomalies in a wafer. According to one aspect, these anomalies relate to defects or stress that can lead to wafer breakage before, during or after further wafer processing. According to other aspects, the method includes passing polarized light through a wafer and analyzing the transmitted light for any changes in polarization. According to additional aspects, the method includes analyzing the entire wafer in one image capturing operation. According to still further aspects, the light passed through the wafer is below the bandgap for a material such as silicon that comprises the wafer, so that substantially all light will be transmitted through rather than absorbed or reflected by the material. According to still further aspects, the detection operation can be rapid and automatic, so that it can be easily included in an overall processing sequence. According to yet additional aspects, the detection includes analyzing different portions of the wafer differently, for example using different contrast ratios for edge and center portions of the wafer respectively.