Abstract: A device for holding a tissue specimen for radiographic exposure and assisting in the location of an abnormality in the specimen as detected by said radiographic exposure. The device comprises first and second platen members of radiolucent material, a radiopaque grid dividing one platen member into a plurality of regions, and a mechanism for drawing the two platen members toward one another thereby to compress a tissue specimen and flatten it to a substantially uniform thickness prior to radiographic exposure. An improved biopsy procedure utilizing the device is also disclosed.