Determining whether a potential biosignature is worth investigating is a fundamentally complicated process. Scientists must consider any and every possible alternate explanation before concluding that something is a true biosignature. Such consideration entails investigating the minute details that make other planets unique and understanding when there is a deviation from the expected non-biological processes present on a planet. In the case of a planet with life, these differences can be extremely small or not present at all, adding to the difficulties of discovering a biosignature. Years of scientific studies have culminated in three criteria that a potential biosignature must meet to be considered viable for further research: Reliability, survivability, and detectability.