Abstract: A method is disclosed for recording topological thermal data by scribing onto a thermographic indicator overlay thermograms produced by a thermochromatic band composed of temperature responsive liquid crystalline materials and temperature gradients of the thermograms determined with a surface thermometer having a plurality of display areas composed of thermochromatic compositions each exhibiting a distinct temperature event range spaced from the others by a temperature interval. Such method is especially adapted for application to the surface of the human body for the early detection of carcinomas as evinced by elevated temperature areas.