MIsCORE–RIUD: Paper I Defining and Falsifying Recurrent Merger-Local Morphology in Gravitational-Wave Post-Model Data

MIsCORE–RIUD: Paper I introduces a residual-first observational framework for defining, testing, and falsifying recurrent merger-local morphology in gravitational-wave post-model data before assigning a physical origin. The study reconstructs a 612-execution development record spanning failed interpretation-first models, residual-first target construction, event-native matched-background searches, scorer audits, posterior-subtraction tests, implementation placebos, population-scale deployment across a frozen 374-event native-strain universe, and later physical-identity reduction tests. The resulting claim is deliberately bounded: recurrent event-native merger-local morphology can be constructed and retained as an auditable observational object, while stronger interpretations may fail and the unique physical cause remains unresolved. Deeper null calculations and Gaussian-equivalent significance estimates are technically available under the same frozen contract, but they are not required for the primary claim reported here. Related integrated volume:This paper is published as a standalone component of the MIsCORE–RIUD series. A separate integrated volume presenting the broader sequential research lineage and cross-paper context is available at:https://zenodo.org/records/22254049