In one embodiment, a method for forming a recognition algorithm for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy may include: determining a most mathematically different dataset of a plurality of spectral datasets corresponding to materials; dividing the spectral datasets into model development datasets and performance evaluation datasets; transforming, automatically with a processor, one of the model development datasets into a first discrimination model that discriminates the first spectra; removing the first spectra from the model development datasets to yield a subset of development datasets; determining a next most mathematically different spectral dataset of the spectral datasets; transforming the subset of development datasets into a second discrimination model that discriminates the second spectra; and combining the first discrimination model and the second discrimination model to form the recognition algorithm for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.