Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system to characterize the contamination levels of bulk materials, the method comprises drilling into the material, sampling material from the drill point at predetermined intervals, and analyzing the sampled material. Such an embodiment may be accomplished by using a drill with a specialized cutting and sampling head, drill bits, a sample collection units and a vacuum pump. The embodiment in conjunction with portable radiometric instruments produces a profile of radiological or chemical contamination through the material being studied.