Laser-induced oxygen molecule desorption from crystalline (110) and compressed-powder rutile TiO₂ surfaces is investigated by time-of-flight distributions and desorption signal dependencies on laser fluence. A double-component distribution of desorbed O₂ molecules (a fast one and a slow one) justifies validity of both photoelectronic and thermo-activation mechanisms. The defected surfaces are characterized by the more intensive oxygen escape supporting the desorption flow formation via the surface defect sites.