Yes, fingerprints can be used to determine gender with a high degree of accuracy. This is achieved by analyzing the ridge density, or the number of ridges per unit area, in a fingerprint.
Research has shown that women generally have a higher ridge density than men. Studies have found that a fingerprint with a ridge density of 11 ridges/25 mm2 or less is more likely to be from a male, while a fingerprint with a density of 12 ridges/25 mm2 or greater is more likely to be from a female.
While this method isn't foolproof and there are some exceptions, it offers a significant advancement in forensic science. Researchers continue to refine this technique and explore other factors that may contribute to gender identification through fingerprints.
