Abstract: An automated method of particle analysis is performed using an electromagnetic radiation source for generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation, a focusing element for directing the beam to a particle capture zone, a detector configured to detect a signal response from the particle capture zone and a control system. An electromagnetic radiation beam is focused onto a particle-conveying medium to define the particle capture zone for capturing a candidate particle within the beam. A first data acquisition procedure is performed to test for particle capture. If particle capture is not detected, the first data acquisition procedure is repeated. If a particle capture is detected within the beam, a second data acquisition procedure is performed to capture particle data using at least one analysis modality, following which the optical beam intensity is reduced to a sub-capture level to release the particle from the particle capture zone.