We have concluded preliminary investigations concerning the composition of human cortical bone tissue, and of a number of samples of synthetic hydroxyapatite, using Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy. Deproteination procedures to remove the bulk of the collagen present in the tissue have allowed isolation of the mineral phase, and a comparison of the spectra obtained from the latter with those of synthetic hydroxyapatites has highlighted a number of discrepancies. FT-Raman spectra obtained for whole, wet bone samples have produced a degree of spectral detail that is much improved upon that available from existing studies. This has mainly been achieved by the successful elimination of fluorescence from the tissue, a problem which has dogged the Raman analysis of bone in particular. © 1994 Chapman & Hall.