Abstract: A QA test slide for use in a stain QA method for a stain and method of making QA test slides are described. The QA test slide comprises: a transparent substrate; a piece of biopolymer material mounted on the transparent substrate; and a sticker defining an aperture and adhered to the transparent substrate over the piece of biopolymer material and with a portion of the piece of biopolymer material exposed by the aperture and wherein a machine readable code is borne by the sticker and the machine readable code encodes a unique identifier for the QA test slide.

Abstract: A scanner for scanning a QA test slide as part of a stain QA method, and method of using the scanner are described. The scanner comprises a housing defining an interior of the scanner, a slide holder within the housing and configured to receive a QA test slide, a digital camera within the housing and arranged to capture an image of the QA test slide when located in the slide holder, and a light source within the housing and arranged to illuminate both a rear side and a front side of the QA test slide when located in the slide holder.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, computer program, data processing device and user interface for controlling display of an image by a program on display device are described. The method includes detecting a command to cause the program to display the image. A password for the program is displayed on the display in a format that depends on at least one characteristic relating to the image quality of the display such that the password can only be perceived by the user if the display is configured to allow the image to be viewed reliably. The program is allowed to display the image if a password entered by the user corresponds to the displayed password and is not allowed to display the image if a password entered by the user does not correspond to the displayed password.