Samuel Rennie

Dr. Samuel Rennie is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Investigation within the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences at Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology. He serves as Interim Deputy Head of Department and Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Forensic Biology, demonstrating leadership in academic administration and curriculum development.

His research spans forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and biostatistics, with a focus on Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), sex and ancestry estimation from skeletal remains, geometric morphometrics, and early human migrations into the Americas. He applies multivariate statistical methods and machine learning to improve biological profiling accuracy in forensic contexts.

His recent publications and funded projects reveal a strong emphasis on both methodological innovation (e.g., 2D/3D shape analysis, MRI-based age estimation) and broader anthropological questions such as the peopling of the Americas. His work frequently involves interdisciplinary collaboration and has been published in journals like Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, PLOS ONE, and International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Certified Forensic Anthropologist (FA-III), Royal Anthropological Institute (2021)

Dr. Rennie has secured multiple research grants from the Home Office, Canal and River Trust, and ACORN, supporting projects in forensic drug profiling, currency detection dogs, and ancient human migrations. He supervises PhD student Victoria Claydon, whose research explores postmortem skeletal changes and DNA viability. He is also an External Examiner at Coventry University and actively participates in the Forensic Science Research Group and Human Osteology Team at Bournemouth.

He is deeply involved in public engagement, delivering talks at institutions such as the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, Café Scientifique, and the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. His media presence includes a podcast interview with British Murders and coverage in The Scientist.