Final answer:
Drs. Holmes and Wyman identified Parkman's body using early forensics which involved recognizing his dental prosthetics. Researchers identified Yersinia pestis as the bubonic plague's agent by analyzing DNA from victims' teeth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The identification of Parkman's body by Drs. Holmes and Wyman is a historical instance in which early forensic science was employed. They utilized dental evidence, recognizing a set of false teeth that had been crafted for Parkman by a local dentist, Paul Revere's son. This method was an antecedent to modern forensic odontology and represents a milestone in the legal and medical investigation domain.
Researchers used modern science, specifically advancements in molecular genetics and bioarcheology, to extract DNA from the teeth of plague victims. By analyzing this genetic material, they were able to identify Yersinia pestis as the causative agent of the bubonic plague in the 14th century. This breakthrough in understanding historical pandemics exemplifies how contemporary scientific techniques can shed light on past events.