A nondestructive evaluation system, consisting of a metrology device and a directable acoustic transducer, is used to measure the variation of the surface when stress is applied. The directable acoustic transducer selects the location of the applied stress. The difference between the surface during stress application and in the absence of stress detects both surface and buried defects along the location of the stress. By scanning the beam from the acoustic transducer, the location of the stress can be adjusted, enabling the system to locate the detected defect in three dimensions.