Apart from the conventional methods for investigating paints in the forensic laboratory the electron microscope gives many additional types of information. Since the materials for coating objects are produced in large quantities, a merely chemical analysis of paint does not lead to individual identification. Therefore it is necessary to demonstrate morphological peculiarities, such as, for example, features and defects of fabrication. So the material will have to be evaluated by microanalysis and cathodoluminescence as well. Additionally the pigments and extending materials, especially in primers, can be described by transmission electron microscopy. In that way one can obtain information about the distribution of grain size or the form of single pigment particles. The application of the transmission electron microscope is of special interest to the field of the new pearl lustre pigments. -- AATA