A biological sample processing apparatus comprising: a frame having a depth dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension; a central processing unit; a non-volatile memory, storing a number of available preprogrammed protocols, and in communication with the central processing unit; and a display in communication with the central processing unit; at least one plunger slidably mounted to the frame; a platform slidably mounted to the frame, the platform being positioned below the at least one plunger; and wherein the plunger is slidable in the height dimension, wherein the platform is slidable in the depth dimension, wherein the central processing unit is connected to the frame; characterized in that the apparatus comprises: means for selecting a setting of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit, wherein the setting is a research setting, a clinical setting, or a forensic setting and wherein selection of a setting prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a culled list of preprogrammed protocols from the number of available preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected setting, and to store data indicating the selected setting of the apparatus in the non-volatile memory, and wherein when a user selects a protocol from the list of preprogrammed protocols, the central processing unit controls movement of the at least one plunger and the platform. a frame having a depth dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension; a central processing unit; a non-volatile memory, storing a number of available preprogrammed protocols, and in communication with the central processing unit; and a display in communication with the central processing unit; at least one plunger slidably mounted to the frame; a platform slidably mounted to the frame, the platform being positioned below the at least one plunger; and wherein the plunger is slidable in the height dimension, wherein the platform is slidable in the depth dimension, wherein the central processing unit is connected to the frame; characterized in that the apparatus comprises: means for selecting a setting of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit, wherein the setting is a research setting, a clinical setting, or a forensic setting and wherein selection of a setting prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a culled list of preprogrammed protocols from the number of available preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected setting, and to store data indicating the selected setting of the apparatus in the non-volatile memory, and wherein when a user selects a protocol from the list of preprogrammed protocols, the central processing unit controls movement of the at least one plunger and the platform. means for selecting a setting of the apparatus, the means for selecting being in communication with the central processing unit, wherein the setting is a research setting, a clinical setting, or a forensic setting and wherein selection of a setting prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a culled list of preprogrammed protocols from the number of available preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected setting, and to store data indicating the selected setting of the apparatus in the non-volatile memory, and wherein when a user selects a protocol from the list of preprogrammed protocols, the central processing unit controls movement of the at least one plunger and the platform.