Abstract: A contaminant detection apparatus comprising a powered portable detection device for detecting the presence of at least one pathogen in a sample; a test applicator kit comprising a sample applicator and a cartridge configured to receive and retain the sample applicator; the sample applicator including a swab having a first and second swab heads for swabbing a surface to obtain a sample, the cartridge and sample applicator being configured such that when the sample applicator is retained in the cartridge, the first swab head is retained in said preserving chamber to preserve a confirmatory version of said sample, and the second swab head is positioned in the solvent chamber to dissolve the second swab head to a substantially liquid mixture including said sample, and permit the mixture to flow via flow paths to the wells.