Patent ID: 7393694

Claim:
A method for collecting a chemical or biological sample, comprising: (a) providing a chemical and biological sampling device comprising: a base; and a lid adapted for sealing to said base in a closed position, wherein said lid includes integrated therein a sterile absorbent collection means for collecting a sample, wherein said sterile absorbent collection means extends a sufficient amount from said lid so as to facilitate sample collection, and wherein said sterile absorbent collection means is positioned in said lid so that when the sampling device is in the closed position said sterile absorbent collection means is on the inside of said sampling device; and wherein said base includes therein a means to facilitate sample recovery from said sterile absorbent collection means, and wherein said base further comprises a vent to allow air but not liquid to escape from inside said closed sampling device; (b) opening said chemical and biological sampling device by removing said lid from said base; (c) sampling a surface from which a sample is desired by swiping said lid with said sterile absorbent collection means therein faced down against said surface so as to collect a sample onto said sterile absorbent collection means; and (d) closing said chemical and biological sampling device by returning said lid containing the sample-containing absorbent collection means to said base.