Which method is most effective for recognizing a film artifact?

Viewing the film in reflected light is the most effective method for recognizing a film artifact because it enhances the visibility of surface irregularities and any extraneous markings that may be present on the film. When inspected under normal light, some subtle artifacts may go unnoticed due to the lighting conditions, as these imperfections might not contrast well with the film background.

Reflected light allows the inspector to observe the film from different angles and highlights texture or discrepancies that are not visible in direct lighting. This method can help identify scratches, dust, fingerprints, or any other contaminants that could alter the fidelity of the radiographic image.

In contrast, while the other methods may provide some diagnostic information, they do not necessarily focus on improving the visibility of artifacts as effectively as viewing in reflected light. For instance, digital scanning technology is more focused on capturing and processing images rather than inspecting them directly for surface faults, and performing a chemical analysis, although valuable for understanding film chemistry, does not visually reveal physical artifacts.