Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for manipulating samples, in particular tissue samples, comprising at least one needle (2) for punching holes (34) in sample carriers (4) and at least one further needle (3) for punching samples out of preparations (5), wherein a device for detecting the position of the surface of the sample carriers (4) is provided. According to the invention, the device for detecting the position of the surface of the sample carriers (4) or preparations (5) is formed by suction lines (9) opening into the needles (2, 3), whereby the suction lines (9) are connected with a unit (11) for detecting negative pressure so that the approach of the needles (2, 3) to the surface of the sample carriers (4) or the preparations (5) is detectable by the resulting negative pressure and that a drive unit (7) is provided for displacing the needles (2, 3) relative to the sample carrier (4) or preparation (5) from the detected position of the surface to a predefined punching depth (D).