A specimen container holder (12) aids in the collection of a biological specimen (16). The holder (12) securely holds and supports a specimen container (14) in a gripping unit (88) made of two arcuate fingers (36) and (40) attached to a handle (28). Subsequent to specimen collection, the specimen container (14) can be disengaged from the holder (12) by pressing (104) on the handle (28) with one hand.