A method and system for verifying readings of contrasting elements such as bar code elements includes generating a profile of the contrasting elements; identifying a first zone of values representing a first contrasting element, a second zone of values representing a second contrasting element, and a working zone of values representing transitions between contrasting elements; detecting a change in the bar code profile indicative of an apparent transition between the contrasting elements and confirming the apparent transition as a true transition if it occurs in the working zone and rejecting it if it occurs in the first or second zones.
