Below is a list of basic checks that new page patrollers should perform on each page patrol in file namespace.

Special:NewFiles logs all files as they are uploaded. This includes uploads over existing files. PageTriage and Special:NewPagesFeed do not work in this namespace. To mark a file as patrolled, use the "Mark this file version as patrolled" link that appears at the bottom right of the licensing section of unpatrolled files.

Check each for the following problems:

• Copyright tag Check that an appropriate image copyright tag has been added. If not, leave a note on the contributor's talk page and tag the image with {{subst:nld}}.
• Source The image description must say how the image was obtained, for example if the uploader took it himself. Tag unsourced images with {{subst:nsd}}.

For non-free files:

• Check to see if the file meets the non-free content criteria. Common situations to watch out for:
  • Images used to illustrate living people, unless the person is in jail or a free image could otherwise not be created: notify the uploader and tag with {{subst:rfu|reason=As the person this image depicts is still alive, a free image could be taken}}.
  • Similarly, use {{subst:rfu}} for other replaceable images. Common examples include charts, graphs, tables, and maps (where the map is used to show something and is not itself discussed)
  • Make sure a fair use rationale exists for each use of the image. Remove the image from all non-mainspace pages. If the file was not uploaded extremely recently (a few hours), tag orphaned non-free files with {{subst:orfud}}.
  • If the upload is over an existing image, tag the page with {{subst:orfurrev}}.
    • If the new file is merely a higher-resolution version of the existing file, the upload should be reverted unless there is good reason not to.
  • Double-check that the copyright tag is appropriate for the image (i.e. {{Non-free logo}} should only be used on logos, etc.) If not, either fix the tag yourself or notify the uploader and apply {{db-f7}} for immediate deletion. Only do the latter in egregious scenarios, such as calling an entire song a sample.
  • If the source cited is Getty Images, a news agency, or other commercial stock photo agency, check to see if the image itself is being discussed in the article. If not, tag with {{db-f7}}.
• If you are sure that the image and rationale are proper, append |image_has_rationale=yes to the copyright tag.

For free files:

• If a source is cited other than the uploader, and there is no evidence of the license claimed at the website provided, tag it with {{subst:npd}} and notify the uploader.
• Run a reverse image search to see if the image is a copyright violation. If it is, notify the uploader and tag with {{db-f9|url=}}. Remember that a blatant copyright violation requires that the image you find online be of the same or greater resolution than the uploaded version. If the file exists at lower resolution on many websites, or you have other doubts about authorship (professional quality, web resolution, missing EXIF data) consider sending it to WP:FFD.
• If it is clearly an image for a userpage (i.e. a selfie), tag it with {{userspace file}} so it does not get transferred to Commons.
• Only mark these files as patrolled if you are sure they are free.

Copyright is a serious matter. Do not mark files as patrolled if you have any doubt as to whether it is acceptable. This is especially true for complex situations such as freedom of panorama, copyright renewals, and non-US works.