1 : A method for identifying mail pieces having postage sides for special processing based upon a plurality of predetermined profiles, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a combination of values for individual profile image characteristics to create each one of the plurality of predetermined profiles, the values being chosen such that the combination is consistent with threat mail, the individual profile image characteristics being associated with various locations on the postage side of the mail piece; b) storing the plurality of predetermined profiles, each of the predetermined profiles having values for the plurality of selected profile image characteristics; c) obtaining mail piece image characteristics associated with an image of a mail piece; d) retrieving one of the plurality of predetermined profiles that has not yet been used in a comparison; e) comparing the mail piece image characteristics to the one of the plurality of predetermined profiles; f) identifying the mail piece for special processing, if the one of the plurality of predetermined profiles substantially matches the mail piece image characteristics; and g) repeating steps d) through f) for another one of the plurality of predetermined profiles, if the one of the plurality of predetermined profiles does not substantially match the mail piece image characteristics.