Which observation best indicates carryover as the source of observed high-concentration results?

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Carryover happens when remnants from a high-concentration sample linger in the analyzer and bias subsequent measurements. The best sign that carryover is the source is seeing a pattern where, after a markedly high result, the following samples remain elevated above their expected values and then gradually return to baseline. This direct sequence—high one sample followed by elevated results—points to residual material from the previous run rather than a random error or depletion. Depletion would affect results in a different way and not create this cascading high pattern tied to the immediately preceding sample. While re-testing with fresh samples can help assess carryover, it isn’t the only way to detect it, and the pattern in the sequence itself provides a clearer indicator.