A review and evaluation of analytical techniques and methods for oil spill source identification by fluorescence spectroscopy is presented. The subject is discussed within the context of a three dimensional system which permits the reader to readily visualize and comprehend the many diverse approaches incorporated into the reviewed methods. The three dimensional system utilizes the three interdependent variables inherent to fluorescence spectroscopy, i.e., excitation wavelength, emission wavelength and fluorescence intensity, and portrays the fluorescence characteristics of petroleum oils as “total fluorescence spectra”; that are analogous to topographic maps of mountainous regions. Spectral information, derived by each of the methods, is discussed in terms of appropriate portions of such total spectra.