what are specimens
specimen A specimen is a sample of something, like a specimen of blood or body tissue that is taken for medical testing. The noun specimen comes from the Latin word specere, meaning âto look.â Biologists collect specimens so they can get a better look at something to study it. The idea is that, with a good specimen, you can learn about an entire group: it's a good representation. That meaning is echoed in the slang use of specimen, a strong, healthy and attractive person.
Specimens shipped as part an evaluation of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak are considered to be âdiagnostic specimensâ or âclinical specimens.â Diagnostic specimens are classified as hazardous materials (risk groups 2, 3 and 4 under 2004 regulations; or Category B under 2005-2006 regulations) and therefore require packaging that meets Department ...