What specific signature of light is looked for as confirmation that a galaxy is still actively forming stars?

Answer

Blue light from young, hot, massive stars

Astronomers search for the distinct blue light emitted by young, hot, massive stars as the telltale signature of ongoing star formation; its absence confirms a quenched state.

What specific signature of light is looked for as confirmation that a galaxy is still actively forming stars?
Spacegalaxiesastronomycosmologydead galaxies