<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>229</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>206</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>68</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - 1.  Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A1OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>1.  Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - 2. Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A2Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>2. Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - 3.  Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - 4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A4IntangibleAssetsGoodwillAndOther</Role>
      <ShortName>4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - 5.  Product Warranty Liability</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A5ProductWarrantyLiability</Role>
      <ShortName>5.  Product Warranty Liability</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - 6.  Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A6LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>6.  Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - 7.  Noncontrolling Interest</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A7NoncontrollingInterest</Role>
      <ShortName>7.  Noncontrolling Interest</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - 8.  Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A8EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>8.  Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - 9.  Other Income and Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A9OtherIncomeAndExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>9.  Other Income and Expenses</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - 10.  Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A10IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>10.  Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - 11.  Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A11SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>11.  Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - 12.  Legal Proceedings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A12LegalProceedings</Role>
      <ShortName>12.  Legal Proceedings</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - 3.  Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - 4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A4IntangibleAssetsGoodwillAndOtherTables</Role>
      <ShortName>4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - 5.  Product Warranty Liability (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A5ProductWarrantyLiabilityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>5.  Product Warranty Liability (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - 6.  Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A6LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>6.  Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - 7.  Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A7NoncontrollingInterestTables</Role>
      <ShortName>7.  Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - 8.  Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A8EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>8.  Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - 9.  Other Income and Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A9OtherIncomeAndExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>9.  Other Income and Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - 11.  Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A11SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>11.  Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - 1.  Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates Immaterial Error Corrections (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A1BasisOfPresentationAndUseOfEstimatesImmaterialErrorCorrectionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>1.  Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates Immaterial Error Corrections (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - 2. Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A2AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>2. Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - 3.  Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Level Table (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3FairValueMeasurementsFairValueLevelTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Level Table (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - 3.  Fair Value Measurements 3. Contingent Consideration (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3FairValueMeasurements3ContingentConsiderationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Fair Value Measurements 3. Contingent Consideration (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - 3.  Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3ForeignExchangeForwardContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403405 - Disclosure - 3.  Short-term Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3ShortTermInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Short-term Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403406 - Disclosure - 3.  Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3AmortizedCostAndFairValueOfDebtSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403407 - Disclosure - 3.  Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses with Unrealized Losses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3FairValueAndGrossUnrealizedLossesWithUnrealizedLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses with Unrealized Losses (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403408 - Disclosure - 3.  Fair Value Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A3FairValueInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>3.  Fair Value Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - 4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A4IntangibleAssetsGoodwillAndOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - 4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A4IntangibleAssetsGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - 5.  Product Warranty Liability (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A5ProductWarrantyLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>5.  Product Warranty Liability (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - 6.  Long-Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A6LongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>6.  Long-Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - 7.  Noncontrolling Interest (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A7NoncontrollingInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>7.  Noncontrolling Interest (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - 8.  Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A8EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>8.  Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - 9.  Other Income and Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A9OtherIncomeAndExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>9.  Other Income and Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412401 - Disclosure - 10.  Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A10IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>10.  Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - 11.  Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A11SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>11.  Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - 11.  Segment Profit Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bio-rad.com/role/A11SegmentProfitReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>11.  Segment Profit Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Goodwill had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404402 - Disclosure - 4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404403 - Disclosure - 4.  Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2407402 - Disclosure - 6.  Long-Term Debt (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408402 - Disclosure - 7.  Noncontrolling Interest (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2410402 - Disclosure - 9.  Other Income and Expenses (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413403 - Disclosure - 11.  Segment Profit Reconciliation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>bio-20120331.xml</File>
    <File>bio-20120331.xsd</File>
    <File>bio-20120331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bio-20120331_def.xml</File>
    <File>bio-20120331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bio-20120331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
