Operating in environments like airport security, field inspections, or laboratories often requires the ability to identify unknown substances quickly and accurately. Whether dealing with chemicals, drugs, or precursors, the stakes are high — potentially involving hazardous materials that pose risks to safety and security.  In these critical moments, Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful solution. The handheld Raman spectrometer is a key device used for fast and accurate substance identification in customs control.​ To use it effectively, officers must understand when, why, and how to apply it safely in different inspection scenarios.​​