An adaptive and selective scanning method, particularly for identifying and authenticating identification cards, is disclosed herein. The present invention evolved from a trend of more intricate security features configured to modern ID cards motivating more sophisticated counterfeits. These intricate features would typically require higher resolution (therefore large electronic files) and increased scanning times that would be unworkable in many environments where scan time is very important, such as airport security. Essentially, the method comprises multiple timely passes where specific target data is obtained. Initial ID card passes are concentrated to magnetic strip, as well as one and two dimensional barcode information. Subsequent card passes are focused to high resolution images of a specific portion of the card thereby reducing scan time.