Each tissue has a unique spectral signature (e.g. liver looks distinct from bowel due to differences in both absorbance and in the way the tissue scatters light). Therefore, we suspect that automated discrimination among tissue types (e.g. blood, nerve, artery, vein, muscle) or tissue state (frozen, unfrozen, viable, dead) is feasible. In this study, we investigated our ability to detect hidden structures (such as blood vessels) or events (such as tissue ablation via freezing) using optical systems. For blood vessel localization, a key step in vascular access, we resolved the component concentration of hemoglobin measured within the tissue, and found that blood vessel depth and direction could be determined. For freezing detection, we found that changes in effective absorbance during freezing allowed the freezing process to be monitored spectroscopically. Such optical techniques may usher in use of light-assisted medical diagnosis, leading to automated and portable diagnostic devices which enable real-time diagnostics and monitoring during medical interventions, such as cryoablation or vascular access.