The present invention relates to preparation of specimen or samples for analysis or diagnosis, and more particularly, to a device and method for recovery of a specimen/sample from a collecting material.In order to improve the quality and sensitivity of subsequent analysis it is advantageous to enhance the recovery of collected specimen and thereby increase the concentration of the specimen to be analysed.The objects and advantages of this invention are achieved by the apparatus and method of this invention, In accordance with this invention, the device includes a collection device (1) having a stem (2) and an absorbent head (3) for collecting a specimen, and a receptacle (7) for receiving the collection device with the collected specimen. The collection device contains at least one magnetic material (4). Further to that, a movable magnetic field for manipulating the collection device is provided.
