Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying characteristic phonocardiographic heart sounds using a novel, recording, digital stethoscope. The stethoscope comprises in combination the features of a standard air column stethoscope together with the features of a recording, digital stethoscope. Further, the stethoscope includes features permitting the detection and recording of at least a portion of the electrocardiographic wave pattern to aid in analysis of the phonocardiographic sounds. The system for identifying phonocardiographic sounds includes the described recording, digital stethoscope together with a computer and display device for storing, analyzing and displaying the detected sounds together with comparative sounds selected from a reference library.