Real defects in composite structures were detected by using laser measuring system. Four types of real defects, that is, impact-induced delamination in a composite laminate, debond in a honeycomb structure, free-edge delamination in a composite laminate and debond in an adhesive joint, were made by applying several types of loads to the specimens. Laser measuring system such as ESPI and shearography technique were used to detect those defects. Thermal loading method, which can easily induce the surface deformation of specimen, was used to detect the defects. Experimental results show that the defects in composite structures could be easily detected by ESPI and shearography technique. Moreover, it shows that ESPI and shearography technique could be usefully applied to the detection of defects in various kinds of composite structures.