Methods are disclosed for inspecting a cylindrical porous ceramic body by positioning a diffuser near, and spaced apart from, the first end of a ceramic body; flowing a tracer flow toward the diffuser, wherein a first portion of the tracer flow passes through the diffuser, and a second portion of the tracer flow does not pass through the diffuser, the first and second portions of the tracer flow then entering the first end of the ceramic body, wherein the average velocity of the first portion of the tracer flow entering the ceramic body VAVG1 is lower than the average velocity of the second portion of the tracer flow entering the ceramic body VAVG2; directing light toward the second end of the ceramic body; and detecting reflected light coming from a location proximate the second transverse face at the second end of the ceramic body.