<p>The present invention provides a method and device for treating and analyzing a biological specimen. The biological specimen is introduced into a processing device and treated thermally, mechanically, chemically or any combination thereof within the processing device to alter at least one constitutive characteristic of the biological specimen and to release or create one or more biological indicators from the biological specimen. The biological specimen is further contacted with a treated polymeric material so that at least a portion of the polymeric material binds to the one or more biological indicators.</p>