Between 1987 and 1993, 30 unknown bodies were identified by means of pre- and postmortem radiographs at the Forensic Institute in Mainz. Our experience indicates that radiological identification comprises a useful, rapid and cheap method, at least as valuable as dactyloscopy or odontological comparisons. The ages of available radiographs were up to 25 years; the most suitable regions are the skull (11), pelvis and lumbar spine (6), lower femur and knee (5) and distal leg with the ankle joint (5). In respect of the problem of objectifying the probability of identity, possibilities for solutions are shown.