Abstract: A read-write head writes data relative to a patient in a magnetic tape disposed on a sample supply container and reads out the written data. The read data are displayed on a display device to check the data for correctness. The sample supply container in which the data have been written is delivered to a pipetting device, which distributes a sample in the sample supply container to a sample receptacle. At this time, the data stored in the magnetic tape of the sample supply container are read out by a magnetic head, and written in a magnetic tape attached to the sample receptacle. The data written in the magnetic tape of the sample receptacle are read out by a magnetic head, and compared with the data stored in the magnetic tape of the sample supply container, and then the sample is pipetted.