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Once a PDF is printed, scanned, and saved again, it becomes much more challenging to detect any previous edits. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Loss of Metadata
- Metadata Removal: Printing and scanning a PDF removes all digital metadata, including creation and modification dates, making it impossible to track changes through metadata.

2. Image Conversion
- Rasterization: The process converts the PDF into an image format, losing all text and vector data. This means any digital signatures, annotations, or embedded information are lost.

3. Visual Inspection
- Manual Comparison: You would need to visually compare the scanned PDF with the original to spot any differences. This can be time-consuming and may not reveal subtle edits.

4. Forensic Analysis
- Advanced Tools: Specialized forensic tools might detect inconsistencies in the scanned document, but this requires expertise and is not always foolproof.

Practical Steps
- Keep Originals: Always keep a copy of the original, unedited PDF for comparison.
- Digital Signatures: Use digital signatures before printing to ensure the document's integrity. Any changes after signing will invalidate the signature.