A detection device (2) configured to assist injection of a media (4, 26) is intended for assisting injection of a media (4, 26) by using a hypodermic syringe (16) having a needle (10) attached to a needle hub (14). The detection device (2) includes a device (6, 8, 54, 56, 56′, 60) for identifying the characteristics of the media (4, 26) entering the needle head (14) or being present in the needle head (14). The detection device (2) may include a light source (6) configured to irradiate the needle head (14) with light a light detection member (8) adapted to detect light (12) emitted from the light source (6), and a control unit configured to identify the characteristics of the media (4) entering the needle head (14) on the basis of light detected by the detection section (8). An auto-injection device (64) including a detection device (2) is also disclosed.
