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Negative Control

An analytical control that consists of the reagents used in various stages of testing without the introduction of sample; no results are expected from a negative control. 

NOTE For DNA testing, negative controls include extraction blanks/reagent blanks and amplification blanks. A negative control in DNA testing is used to detect contamination introduced into the assay during the testing process via reagents, disposables, or handling errors (which may impact the results observed from samples tested at the same time).

Committee
Human Forensic Biology
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASB 175 Standard for Interpreting, Comparing and Reporting DNA Test Results Associated with Failed Controls and Contamination Events . AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB), 410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO , 2024. Source link