A Silver‐Stain Modification of Standard Histological Slide Preparation for Use in Anthropology Analyses |
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| Authors: | Deborrah C. Pinto Ph.D. Eric D. Pace B.S. |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Houston, TX;2. MLD Pathology, Houston, TX |
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| Abstract: | The traditional histology method typically employed by forensic anthropologists involves plastic embedding of undecalcified bone. The embedded sample is then cut by a diamond blade saw and ground to the required thickness of ~50–100 microns using a grinder. There are several limitations to this method: Cement lines may be blurred; depth‐of‐field artifacts may result from viewing thick sections; and medicolegal offices with limited budgets may not be able to invest in additional equipment or training for this method. A silver nitrate stain modification of the standard histology preparation technique of decalcified bone is presented. The benefits of this technique are that: Cement lines are viewed clearly; no depth‐of‐field artifacts are present; and because this is a modification of the standard technique used by histology laboratories typically employed by medicolegal offices, no additional equipment or training is required. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic anthropology bone histology slide preparation method cement lines silver nitrate stain |
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