Abstract: A method for determining the characteristics and amount of microscopic contaminants lodged on a photographed surface. An image enhanced full-color photographic negative and print are taken of the contaminated surface. Three black-and-white prints are developed subsequently from red, green and blue separation filter overlays of the color negative. Both the color and three monochromatic prints are then scanned to extract in digital form a profile of any contaminant possibly existing on the surface. The resulting profiles are electronically analyzed and compared with data already stored relating to known contaminants.