Forensic scientists must often analyze traces of paint. The objective approach provided by microspectrophotometry provides better and more reliable distinctions between paint samples than does the subjective visual comparison of colors. In addition, the technique can provide useful information about the pigment composition of a paint sample and can aid assessments of the evidential value of two paint flakes that cannot otherwise be distinguished from one another. Thus, the technique is extremely useful to forensic scientists. Future developments are likely to lead to faster and easier pigment identification. Figures, tables, and 76 references.