A method for identifying a set of candidate substances of a sample using a Raman spectroscopy device comprising a spectrometer, the method comprising: setting an exposure time of the spectrometer, recording a Raman spectrum of the sample using the spectrometer being set to the exposure time, identifying a Raman peak having a largest intensity of at least one Raman peak of the Raman spectrum, determining a Raman shift of the identified Raman peak in the Raman spectrum, comparing the Raman shift against a database comprising entries correlating substances with information associated with Raman shifts of the substances, thereby identifying a set of candidate substances, wherein each candidate substance in the set of candidate substances has a Raman shift corresponding to the Raman shift, and reducing the set of candidate substances by: setting a further exposure time of the spectrometer, the further exposure time being longer than the exposure time, recording a further Raman spectrum of the sample using the spectrometer being set to the further exposure time, identifying, while excluding wavelengths associated with all previously identified Raman peaks, a further Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, the further Raman peak having a largest intensity of at least one Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, determining a further Raman shift of the further Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, comparing the further Raman shift against entries of the database corresponding to the candidate set of substances, thereby identifying a subset of candidate substances, wherein each candidate substance in the subset of candidate substances has a Raman shift corresponding to the further Raman shift, and excluding, from the set of candidate substances, candidate substances not forming part of the subset of candidate substances, thereby reducing the set of candidate substances. setting an exposure time of the spectrometer, recording a Raman spectrum of the sample using the spectrometer being set to the exposure time, identifying a Raman peak having a largest intensity of at least one Raman peak of the Raman spectrum, determining a Raman shift of the identified Raman peak in the Raman spectrum, comparing the Raman shift against a database comprising entries correlating substances with information associated with Raman shifts of the substances, thereby identifying a set of candidate substances, wherein each candidate substance in the set of candidate substances has a Raman shift corresponding to the Raman shift, and reducing the set of candidate substances by: setting a further exposure time of the spectrometer, the further exposure time being longer than the exposure time, recording a further Raman spectrum of the sample using the spectrometer being set to the further exposure time, identifying, while excluding wavelengths associated with all previously identified Raman peaks, a further Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, the further Raman peak having a largest intensity of at least one Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, determining a further Raman shift of the further Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, comparing the further Raman shift against entries of the database corresponding to the candidate set of substances, thereby identifying a subset of candidate substances, wherein each candidate substance in the subset of candidate substances has a Raman shift corresponding to the further Raman shift, and excluding, from the set of candidate substances, candidate substances not forming part of the subset of candidate substances, thereby reducing the set of candidate substances. setting a further exposure time of the spectrometer, the further exposure time being longer than the exposure time, recording a further Raman spectrum of the sample using the spectrometer being set to the further exposure time, identifying, while excluding wavelengths associated with all previously identified Raman peaks, a further Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, the further Raman peak having a largest intensity of at least one Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, determining a further Raman shift of the further Raman peak in the further Raman spectrum, comparing the further Raman shift against entries of the database corresponding to the candidate set of substances, thereby identifying a subset of candidate substances, wherein each candidate substance in the subset of candidate substances has a Raman shift corresponding to the further Raman shift, and excluding, from the set of candidate substances, candidate substances not forming part of the subset of candidate substances, thereby reducing the set of candidate substances.