Abstract: A testing method is described for use in undertaking a test upon a sample (10) for the presence of a specific microbiological material, the method comprising the steps of combining the sample (10) with a viability-preserving medium, optionally with an enrichment medium (12) selected to promote growth and/or reproduction of the specific microbiological material within the sample (10) and incubating the sample (10) and enrichment material (12), undertaking a separation process to separate the live specific microbiological material from the sample (10), and testing the separated material for the presence of the specific microbiological material. An apparatus for use in the method is also described.