Final answer:
To differentiate between human and non-human bones, one can examine the bone shapes, assess symmetry, and compare the bone structure under microscopic examination.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three ways to tell the difference between human and non-human bones. The first way is by examining the shape of the bones. Human bones are categorized into six types: long bones, such as the femur; short bones, such as carpals; sesamoid bones, like the patella; sutural bones, situated in the skull; and irregular bones, like the vertebrae. Non-human bones may exhibit different shapes or a variation in the proportions of these types.
The second way is to look at the bone symmetry. Human bones, particularly those of the skull, display bilaterally symmetrical patterns, which is a characteristic that can be used to differentiate them from some non-human species.
The third method is comparing the bone structure under microscopic examination. Bones of living humans have distinct microscopic features due to being alive and metabolically active tissue, in contrast to fossilized bones which have been mineralized over time.