An optoacoustic system and method for providing enhanced laser safety includes a laser light source, a control and processing system, a laser override, and an array of optoacoustic transducers. The laser light source is capable of generating a laser light pulse upon receiving a laser light source trigger. The control and processing system is configured to generate a laser light source trigger, to receive and process ultrasound data, and to control operation of the optoacoustic system. The control and processing system determines whether received ultrasound data reflects acoustic coupling between the transducer array and the volume. The laser override is configured to automatically prevent the generation of a laser light pulse if received ultrasound data does not reflect acoustic coupling between the optoacoustic transducer array and the volume.
