Abstract: A tissue classifying system uses central illumination while detecting scattered light received from one or more rings surrounding the central illumination. A broadband illuminator is used. Received light couples to a spectrographic detection system that provides data to a processor with machine readable instructions for determining a classification of a type of tissue illuminated by the system. A scanner is used to generate a map of tissue classification for use by a surgeon who may remove additional tissue from a surgical wound to ensure complete treatment. Embodiments include a scanner that maps tissue classification across tissue, and a scanner coupled to a coherent optical bundle that may be placed in contact with tissue along boundaries of an operative wound. Other embodiments are adapted to scan tissue for fluorescent emissions and/or polarization shifts between incident and scattered light.