A negative control is a comparison expected to lack the response attributed to the tested cause. In a generic analytical measurement, a blank without the target substance reveals background signal or contamination introduced by reagents and handling. A vehicle control can isolate effects of the carrier used to deliver an intervention. A clean negative control supports interpretation but cannot prove that every unwanted influence is absent; the control must share the relevant conditions with the test samples.[ref]
https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/april2005/standards/2005_04_standards01.htm. Standards and Guidelines, negative control and matrix blank
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