A characterization apparatus , comprising: an imaging location configured to receive a specimen container containing a specimen ; an image capture device located adjacent to the imaging location ; and a light panel assembly located adjacent to the imaging location configured to provide back lighting of the imaging location , the light panel assembly further configured to display a switchable pattern wherein the pattern may be switched from one pattern to a different pattern, whereby a first portion of the light panel assembly is lighted and a second portion, contiguous with the first portion, is unlit; wherein the light panel assembly comprises: - a frame including a first side and a second side; - a light source that - is spectrally switchable between two or more of: white light, red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light, near infrared light, and infrared light; and - comprises a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the first side and a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the second side of the frame ; - a light guide positioned adjacent to the plurality of individual light sources along the first side and adjacent to the plurality of individual sources along the second side; - a pattern generator positioned in front of the light guide and configured to produce the pattern . an imaging location configured to receive a specimen container containing a specimen ; an image capture device located adjacent to the imaging location ; and a light panel assembly located adjacent to the imaging location configured to provide back lighting of the imaging location , the light panel assembly further configured to display a switchable pattern wherein the pattern may be switched from one pattern to a different pattern, whereby a first portion of the light panel assembly is lighted and a second portion, contiguous with the first portion, is unlit; wherein the light panel assembly comprises: - a frame including a first side and a second side; - a light source that - is spectrally switchable between two or more of: white light, red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light, near infrared light, and infrared light; and - comprises a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the first side and a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the second side of the frame ; - a light guide positioned adjacent to the plurality of individual light sources along the first side and adjacent to the plurality of individual sources along the second side; - a pattern generator positioned in front of the light guide and configured to produce the pattern . - a frame including a first side and a second side; - a light source that - is spectrally switchable between two or more of: white light, red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light, near infrared light, and infrared light; and - comprises a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the first side and a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the second side of the frame ; - is spectrally switchable between two or more of: white light, red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light, near infrared light, and infrared light; and - comprises a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the first side and a plurality of individual light sources arranged along the second side of the frame ; - a light guide positioned adjacent to the plurality of individual light sources along the first side and adjacent to the plurality of individual sources along the second side; - a pattern generator positioned in front of the light guide and configured to produce the pattern . <EOS>