the present invention discloses a method , device , and kit to non - invasively sample epidermal cells of a test subject while ensuring the collection of a large enough quantity of cells for subsequent biological testing . in particular , the method obtains human , or other living creature &# 39 ; s , nucleic acid or other biological component for cytological or diagnostic testing and / or genetic analysis . the method takes the sample of the epidermis by means of an abrading surface which scrapes off and retains cell samples for subsequent characterization . the abrading surface could be single use , in a sealed container , where the sample can be returned without contamination . these nucleic acids can be either eluted or resolubilized off , or otherwise released after collection or storage , in a manner that enables them to be amplified by conventional amplification methods such as polymerase chain reaction . also provided are devices for storing dna and a kit for easily obtaining and stably storing a sample of epidermal cells and / or other dna bearing material .