Portable substance identification system and method are configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. An embodiment of the portable substance identification system includes a portable substance identification device containing a Raman spectrometer, and a collection stem that includes a collector. One or more reservoirs for a liquid medium and/or at least one reagent can be formed in the collection stem. The cartridge can include a chamber in which the reagents, liquid medium, and at least one detection target picked up by the collector are mixed. A magnet, positioned at a slant angle, can be used to form at least one pellet of aggregated magnetic particles within a pellet forming area of the chamber. The pellet is formed to maximize its surface area.