Scientist in a histology lab holds a piece of heart tissue embedded in paraffin (wax). The embedded sample will be cut into ultra-thin slices, 5 to 10 micrometers thick, using a microtome. The dissected heart muscle is oriented to offer two views of the tissue: a lateral (side) view and a cross-sectional view. The tissue is for a forensic examination to determine the cause of death in an investigation at the labs of Maryland's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.