An identification apparatus comprising: a plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) disposed at different positions in a conveyance width direction to irradiate a specimen with a converging ray in different irradiation conditions, the specimen being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction by conveyance means; a plurality of light-capturing means (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4) for capturing scattered light from the specimen, each of the plurality of light-capturing means (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4) corresponding to a different one of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4); acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a property of the specimen, based on the light captured by the light-capturing means (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4); characterized by placement means for placing the specimen on a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) in accordance with a height of the specimen at an upstream side of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) in the conveyance direction, wherein the irradiation condition includes at least one of a height of a focal plane (65-1, 65-2, 65-3, 65-4), a focal length, and a working distance between the irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) and the specimen, wherein the irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) are adapted to provide focal planes (65-1, 65-2, 65-3, 65-4) with different heights, and wherein the placement means is disposed at the upstream side of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) in the conveyance direction. a plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) disposed at different positions in a conveyance width direction to irradiate a specimen with a converging ray in different irradiation conditions, the specimen being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction by conveyance means; a plurality of light-capturing means (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4) for capturing scattered light from the specimen, each of the plurality of light-capturing means (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4) corresponding to a different one of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4); acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a property of the specimen, based on the light captured by the light-capturing means (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4); placement means for placing the specimen on a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) in accordance with a height of the specimen at an upstream side of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) in the conveyance direction, wherein the irradiation condition includes at least one of a height of a focal plane (65-1, 65-2, 65-3, 65-4), a focal length, and a working distance between the irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) and the specimen, wherein the irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) are adapted to provide focal planes (65-1, 65-2, 65-3, 65-4) with different heights, and wherein the placement means is disposed at the upstream side of the plurality of irradiation means (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) in the conveyance direction.