The invention relates to a method for sensing the surface structure and the nature of a sample by means of a scanning apparatus (2) in particular for sensing marks caused by contact of the skin of the human body with the surface of an object or received by means of a mark carrier wherein the sample (P) and the scanning apparatus (2) are moved in relation to each other the sample surface is irradiated line by line with a light beam or laser beam (L) emitted by the scanning apparatus (2) the light beam or laser beam (R) reflected by the sample surface is sensed and a digital image of the topography of the sample surface and of the intensity of the reflected light beam or laser beam (R) is produced from deviations of the reflected light beam or laser beam (R) from the emitted light beam or laser beam (L) in order to present the nature of the sample surface.
