Ultrasonic transients with high frequency components have been used to interrogate the bond region of lap-bonded joints. With through-transmission measurements, based on a non-contact laser technique, wave arrival times have been identified in addition to internal reflections within the joint region. This knowledge has led to analysis of wave amplitudes reverberating within the bond, from which the local density of the adhesive has been derived. Furthermore, shear wave signal amplitudes are significantly attenuated for a poorly-bonded joint compared with a well-bonded sample. The data reveal that a laser-ultrasound approach may be used to assess the condition of a lap-bonded joint.