limit-of-detection

1) For a test, the point at which the sensitivity of the test is such that the quantity or concentration of a component present is insufficient to produce a positive test result or be detected. 2) For instrumental analysis, the point below which it is not possible to reliably distinguish analytical signal data from instrument background noise; typically defined as three times the standard deviation of the average background noise; The LOD may be calculated to aid in setting an analytical threshold for the reporting and interpretation of alleles in a DNA profile electropherogram.