Officially - silver halide film will have a noticeable matte side (the emulsion) and a shiny side (the base).  Diazo film will have both sides shiny (the emulsion is chemically different and embedded in the plastic material).  Also, diazo film can be blue, blue-black or black, while silver halide film has a silver sheen to the color.  Vesicular is a grayish clear color and would only be microfiche.

Unofficially - lick your thumb and first finger and grasp the leader of the film (not near any images).  If one finger sticks that is the emulsion side of silver halide film.  Your moist fingers should not stick to either side of diazo film. 

Ginny Jones 
(Virginia A. Jones, CRM, FAI) 
Records Manager 
Information Technology Division 
Newport News Dept. of Public Utilities 
Newport News, VA 
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