A system for obtaining an image of an object using an optical imager having an illumination source that is positioned on one side of the object to be imaged and a reflective background positioned on the other side of the object. The imaging system may be implemented in an assembly line or sample processor by using at least one imager and a reflective background positioned behind the samples moving along the assembly or process line. The imager is programmed to decode barcode information and to identify objects in the image using pattern matching techniques.