Bone histology as an integrated tool in the process of human identification

The analysis of unknown skeletal material requires a multilevel, polymodal approach that can be strengthened by the application of microscopic methods. First, a basic discussion of bone biology, histomorphology, and histomorphometry is presented, providing background for the interpretation of bone structure and organization at the microscopic level. This is followed by a discussion of applicable methods for distinguishing human from nonhuman bone, as well as methods for estimating age-at-death, a common use of the histological approach in forensic anthropology. Lastly, this chapter offers a discussion of current research that uses bone histology to guide sampling procedures for nuclear DNA analyses, specifically addressing why certain sampling locations may be preferred and providing guidelines for sample selection.