THE EXAMINATION OF TABLET SHAPE HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A VALUABLE MEANS OF PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION WHEN COMPARING TABLETS. THE METHOD DESCRIBED USING THE PROJECTINA MICROSCOPE FOR PROJECTION OF THE TABLET IMAGE IN THE FORM OF A SILHOUETTE PROVIDES A MEANS FOR COMPARISON OF LIKE TABLETS AND THE ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF THE FINE DETAIL IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL PARAMETERS OF DIAMETER AND THICKNESS. THIS TECHNIQUE GREATLY REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF TABLET HANDLING REQUIRED AND HENCE THE RISK OF INTRODUCING EXTRANEOUS MARKS WHICH WOULD INTERFERE WITH A SUBSEQUENT LOW POWER MCRIOSCOPICAL EXAMINATION FOR PUNCH MARKS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)