How to Perform SEM/EDX Analysis on Bone? Procedural Aspects and Main Anthropological Applications

The application of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) to the anthropological field has begun to open up wide-ranging perspectives of evaluation and investigation of great interest from various points of view, including the forensic one. Indeed, when bones are directly affected by penetrating detrimental means, they become valuable substrates on which to perform SEM/EDX analysis for forensic purposes. Moreover, on partially or completely skeletonized corpses, anthropologists take over or work alongside the medical examiner and their contribution plays a major role. In addition, SEM/EDX analysis may also prove useful in pursuing the identification of a victim. For these reasons, anthropologists need to be increasingly aware of the huge potential of this technique. However, it requires special precautions in order to provide appropriate and reliable results. Therefore, we present the proper approach to bone tissue for SEM/EDX analysis, reporting some of its main applications in the anthropological field.