In handwriting identity verification, what do the terms "dominant" and "nondominant" refer to?

In handwriting identity verification, the terms "dominant" and "nondominant" specifically refer to a person’s preferred hand versus the other hand. The dominant hand is typically the one a person uses for most activities, including writing. This hand is usually more skilled and produces more consistent handwriting due to muscle memory and practice. On the other hand, the nondominant hand is less coordinated for writing purposes, which results in a different style, quality, or fluency in handwriting.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in forensic analysis because it allows experts to assess handwriting samples more effectively. Handwriting produced by the dominant hand will generally exhibit greater control and consistency, whereas samples created with the nondominant hand may show irregularities or variations. This can play a significant role in determining the authenticity of a handwriting sample and linking it to a specific individual.