Apple pie incident

The "Apple Pie Incident" typically refers to a situation in scientific or legal contexts where an observed phenomenon, such as a pattern of behavior or data, is initially mistaken for evidence of a specific cause—like intentional deception or misconduct—but is later understood to result from natural or unrelated factors. It highlights the importance of thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. In other words, it’s a reminder that apparent anomalies may sometimes be explained by benign reasons, preventing premature judgments about systemic issues or misconduct.