Abstract: A biological indicator is made of a vial which contains a "spore dot", a nutrient solution in a frangible ampoule, and means for positioning the spore dot and for breaking the ampoule to release the nutrient solution when the cap of the vial is fully pressed on. The nutrient solution typically contains a pH indicator to determine whether all active spores on the strip were killed by a sterilization process which takes place prior to breaking the ampoule.