Abstract: An apparatus and method provide automated collection and transfer of particles from a liquid suspension to a glass slide for visual examination. A magnet is positioned adjacent to a solution which contains particles tagged with magnetic beads, for example cells, so that the magnetic particles flow toward the magnet and collect against a collection surface positioned between the particles and the magnet. A transfer mechanism applies a selected pressure to a second side of the collection surface for transferring collected cells to a viewing slide. The apparatus includes a device for dispersing the liquid suspension of particles prior to the collection process and for collecting particles against the collection surface with a spatial distribution advantageous for visual examination. The transfer operation maintains this spatial distribution.