Background <p>Accurate gender estimation plays a crucial role in forensic identification, especially in mass disasters or cases involving fragmented or decomposed remains where traditional skeletal landmarks are unavailable. This study aimed to develop a deep learning-based model for gender classification using hand radiographs, offering a rapid and objective alternative to conventional methods.</p> Methods <p>We analyzed 470 left-hand X-ray images from adults aged 18 to 65 years using four convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures: ResNet-18, ResNet-50, InceptionV3, and EfficientNet-B0. Following image preprocessing and data augmentation, models were trained and validated using standard classification metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Data augmentation included random rotation, horizontal flipping, and brightness adjustments to enhance model generalization.</p> Results <p>Among the tested models, ResNet-50 achieved the highest classification accuracy (93.2%) with precision of 92.4%, recall of 93.3%, and F1 score of 92.5%. While other models demonstrated acceptable performance, ResNet-50 consistently outperformed them across all metrics. These findings suggest CNNs can reliably extract sexually dimorphic features from hand radiographs.</p> Conclusions <p>Deep learning approaches, particularly ResNet-50, provide a robust, scalable, and efficient solution for gender prediction from hand X-ray images. This method may serve as a valuable tool in forensic scenarios where speed and reliability are critical. Future research should validate these findings across diverse populations and incorporate explainable AI techniques to enhance interpretability.</p>

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Deep learning for gender estimation using hand radiographs: a comparative evaluation of CNN models

  • Hilal Er Ulubaba,
  • İpek Atik,
  • Rukiye Çiftçi,
  • Özgür Eken,
  • Monira I. Aldhahi

摘要

Background

Accurate gender estimation plays a crucial role in forensic identification, especially in mass disasters or cases involving fragmented or decomposed remains where traditional skeletal landmarks are unavailable. This study aimed to develop a deep learning-based model for gender classification using hand radiographs, offering a rapid and objective alternative to conventional methods.

Methods

We analyzed 470 left-hand X-ray images from adults aged 18 to 65 years using four convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures: ResNet-18, ResNet-50, InceptionV3, and EfficientNet-B0. Following image preprocessing and data augmentation, models were trained and validated using standard classification metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Data augmentation included random rotation, horizontal flipping, and brightness adjustments to enhance model generalization.

Results

Among the tested models, ResNet-50 achieved the highest classification accuracy (93.2%) with precision of 92.4%, recall of 93.3%, and F1 score of 92.5%. While other models demonstrated acceptable performance, ResNet-50 consistently outperformed them across all metrics. These findings suggest CNNs can reliably extract sexually dimorphic features from hand radiographs.

Conclusions

Deep learning approaches, particularly ResNet-50, provide a robust, scalable, and efficient solution for gender prediction from hand X-ray images. This method may serve as a valuable tool in forensic scenarios where speed and reliability are critical. Future research should validate these findings across diverse populations and incorporate explainable AI techniques to enhance interpretability.