1. An automated data reading system comprising: a data reader defining a read zone and configured to acquire identification information of an item transported through the read zone; a processor configured to determine whether the item has been successfully identified; a first imager to obtain, in response the item not being successfully identified, first image data representing the item positioned near an outlet of the read zone; an exception handling station configured to receive the item, the exception handling station including a second imager to obtain second image data representing the item positioned at the exception handling station; and an image processor configured to obtain from the first and second image data corresponding first and second visual object recognition features representing a visual property of the item, and further configured to compare the first and second visual object recognition features to determine whether the item appears in both of the first and second image data.