  We develop a perturbative method of computing spectral singularities of a
Schreodinger operator defined by a general complex potential that vanishes
outside a closed interval. These can be realized as zero-width resonances in
optical gain media and correspond to a lasing effect that occurs at the
threshold gain. Their time-reversed copies yield coherent perfect absorption of
light that is also known as an antilaser. We use our general results to
establish the exactness of the n-th order perturbation theory for an arbitrary
complex potential consisting of n delta-functions, obtain an exact expression
for the transfer matrix of these potentials, and examine spectral singularities
of complex barrier potentials of arbitrary shape. In the context of optical
spectral singularities, these correspond to inhomogeneous gain media.
