The comparison of fingerprints, dentition, genetic profile, imaging data and anthropological characteristics constitute the scientific basis for identification of unknown cadavers. The complexity of the identification process stems from a variety of factors such as the circumstances surrounding the death, the preservation state of the cadaver, availability of identification data and their quality, which affect the feasibility of the identification. This article reviews the most common identification techniques, the various sources of data accessible to the forensic scientist and the strategic decisions through which the unidentified body and the missing person are integrated.