title: A silver-stain modification of standard histological slide preparation for use in anthropology analyses.
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.
authors.affiliation: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX, 77054.
authors.forename: Deborrah C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Pace
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012272:Ribs / Q000473:pathology*; D016622:Silver Staining; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bone histology; cement lines; forensic anthropology; forensic science; silver nitrate stain; slide preparation method