AI Can Determin Sex from Dental X-Rays with 96% Accuracy

Researchers in Brazil have developed an AI system capable of accurately determining an individual’s sex based on dental X-rays, marking a significant advancement in forensic dentistry.

Key findings: AI achieves high accuracy in sex determination from dental X-rays: The machine learning system, trained on over 200,000 panoramic radiographs, demonstrated an impressive 96% accuracy in estimating sex for individuals over 16 years old when using high-resolution images.

• The study utilized two types of deep learning algorithms: a convolutional neural network and a residual network, both optimized to learn hierarchies of features from the dental X-ray images.
• Image resolution played a crucial role in the system’s accuracy, with higher resolution leading to better performance. Age also impacted accuracy, with the AI performing best for patients between 20 and 50 years old (over 97% accuracy) and slightly lower for those above 70 (just under 95%).
• For younger individuals, the system’s accuracy dropped to 87% for those between 6 and 16 years old and 74% for children under six.

Broader implications for forensic dentistry: The AI-powered tool has the potential to assist forensic experts in identifying individuals based on dental remains, particularly in challenging situations such as mass accidents or cases involving bodies in various stages of decomposition.

• Traditional forensic methods often rely on analyzing bones and their structures to determine sex, but in some cases, only the jaw and teeth may be available for examination.
• The study demonstrates the effectiveness of AI in extracting valuable information from panoramic radiographs, which capture a comprehensive view of the entire mouth, including teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures.
• By automating the sex determination process, AI can help reduce human errors and enable faster identification, potentially revolutionizing forensic dentistry practices.

Limitations and future research: While the study presents a promising AI tool for sex determination, it is important to note that the images used in the research came from living individuals, and the system’s effectiveness may differ when applied to human remains in advanced stages of decomposition.

The successful application of AI in determining sex from dental X-rays opens up new possibilities for forensic dentistry and highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in various fields. As research continues, further refinements and validations of such AI-driven tools could lead to their widespread adoption in forensic practices, ultimately improving the efficiency and accuracy of identification processes.