A method, comprising: providing a plurality of specimen containers and a plurality of container carriers ; binding an identity of each container carrier to an identity of an individual specimen container carried by the container carrier wherein the binding comprises associating an identifier of each container carrier with an identifier of the individual specimen container in a computer system, the identifier of each container carrier including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag ; providing a sorting apparatus comprising a transporter configured to transport the container carriers along a path, and one or more actuators configured to sort specimen containers ; conveying the container carriers with the specimen containers along the path; detecting a position of one of said plurality of container carriers on the path; and actuating the one or more actuators to sort the associated specimen container based on the detection of the one of said plurality of container carriers using the bound identities by directing said container carrier to a corresponding sorted strip, wherein the binding electronically matches the identity of each container carrier and the identity of the individual specimen container , and wherein the specimen containers include a specimen comprising a biological or chemical entity requiring examination or testing; wherein the container carrier is in the form of a puck having a body , a hollow cavity with an opening on the top surface of the puck , a slot around the perimeter of the body , and a plurality of resilient fingers extending upward from the body for securing the specimen container, and wherein the sorted strip is provided with guides configured to slide into a corresponding slot of a container carrier . providing a plurality of specimen containers and a plurality of container carriers ; binding an identity of each container carrier to an identity of an individual specimen container carried by the container carrier wherein the binding comprises associating an identifier of each container carrier with an identifier of the individual specimen container in a computer system, the identifier of each container carrier including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag ; providing a sorting apparatus comprising a transporter configured to transport the container carriers along a path, and one or more actuators configured to sort specimen containers ; conveying the container carriers with the specimen containers along the path; detecting a position of one of said plurality of container carriers on the path; and actuating the one or more actuators to sort the associated specimen container based on the detection of the one of said plurality of container carriers using the bound identities by directing said container carrier to a corresponding sorted strip, wherein the binding electronically matches the identity of each container carrier and the identity of the individual specimen container , and wherein the specimen containers include a specimen comprising a biological or chemical entity requiring examination or testing; wherein the container carrier is in the form of a puck having a body , a hollow cavity with an opening on the top surface of the puck , a slot around the perimeter of the body , and a plurality of resilient fingers extending upward from the body for securing the specimen container, and wherein the sorted strip is provided with guides configured to slide into a corresponding slot of a container carrier . <EOS>