Publications by authors named "H de Stigter"
The excitability of skeletal muscle is a less-known post-mortem supravital phenomenon in human bodies, and it can be used to estimate the post-mortem interval. We conducted a field study in the Netherlands to investigate the applicability of muscle excitability (SMR) by mechanical stimulation for estimating the post-mortem interval in daily forensic practice. Knowledge concerning the post-mortem cell mechanisms accounting for the post-mortem excitability of skeletal muscle is lacking.
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- The study analyzed surface samples and short cores from the southwestern Portuguese shelf, focusing on total organic carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratios, and other metrics to understand the origin of organic matter.
- It was found that organic matter consisted of a mix from both terrestrial and marine sources, with perylene and isotopic signatures used to pinpoint key PAH sources in the area.
- A strong correlation between perylene and USEPA-16 PAHs revealed contributions from natural sources and contaminated materials, highlighting the need for effective marine environmental management practices.
Background: Body weight is an important parameter for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) at a crime scene. However, a challenge arises at crime scenes when a weight scale for measuring the total body weight is unavailable. Anthropometry-based models to estimate body weight have been developed in previous studies.
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- Estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) relies on body cooling, lividity, and rigor mortis, but various factors can affect how these phenomena develop.
- The interpretation of these post-mortem signs is subjective, which can result in broad PMI estimates that may not significantly aid criminal investigations.
- A compound method that combines different estimation techniques, including less commonly used supravital muscle reaction, can lead to more accurate PMI assessments, as demonstrated in several case studies.
Spatial patterns and temporal trends of the butyltin compounds tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) were investigated in a set of sediment samples collected along the SW Portuguese continental shelf. This region did not reach the Good Environmental Status (GES) in accordance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) during a first evaluation carried out in 2012. Overall, MBT and DBT were the predominant organotin species detected, but high concentrations of TBT were found in and around disposal sites for dredge sludge derived from the dredging in navigation channels, harbours, and shipyard facilities of the Tagus and Sado estuaries.
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