Abstract: A transfer device including means for movement of samples from a plurality of sites of a first separation to a plurality of sites of a second, different, separation, said means comprising a plurality of sampling elements capable of movement with respect to one another between said first separation and said second separation.The sample transfer device is particularly suited to the transfer of blood samples in blood grouping or other determinations.A method of sample transfer is also provided.

Abstract: A photometric reading device comprises a plurality of reading elements (30), each comprising a light emitting diode and a corresponding photodiode on opposing sides of a sample pathway along which a sample microplate (10) can travel. The microplate (10) includes rows of sample wells arranged transverse to the line of relative motion of the microplate (10) and the reading elements (30).The reading elements (30) are arranged such that, during continuous relative motion of the reading elements (30) and the microplate (10), the reading elements (30) come into registration sequentially with the wells in the first row of wells in the microplate (10), then with the wells in the second row of wells, and so on.