Rule 901. Requirement of authentication or identification.
Article 9.
Authentication and Identification.
Rule 901. Requirement of authentication oridentification.
(a) General provision. The requirement of authentication oridentification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied byevidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is whatits proponent claims.
(b) Illustrations. By way of illustration only, and not by wayof limitation, the following are examples of authentication or identificationconforming with the requirements of this rule:
(1) Testimony of Witness with Knowledge. Testimony that amatter is what it is claimed to be.
(2) Nonexpert Opinion on Handwriting. Nonexpert opinion as tothe genuineness of handwriting, based upon familiarity not acquired for purposesof the litigation.
(3) Comparison by Trier or Expert Witness. Comparison by thetrier of fact or by expert witnesses with specimens which have beenauthenticated.
(4) Distinctive Characteristics and the Like. Appearance,contents, substance, internal patterns, or other distinctive characteristics,taken in conjunction with circumstances.
(5) Voice Identification. Identification of a voice, whetherheard firsthand or through mechanical or electronic transmission or recording,by opinion based upon hearing the voice at any time under circumstancesconnecting it with the alleged speaker.
(6) Telephone Conversations. Telephone conversations, byevidence that a call was made to the number assigned at the time by thetelephone company to a particular person or business, if (A) in the case of aperson, circumstances, including self‑identification, show the personanswering to be the one called, or (B) in the case of a business, the call wasmade to a place of business and the conversation related to business reasonablytransacted over the telephone.
(7) Public Records or Reports. Evidence that a writingauthorized by law to be recorded or filed and in fact recorded or filed in apublic office, or a purported public record, report, statement, or data compilation,in any form, is from the public office where items of this nature are kept.
(8) Ancient Documents or Data Compilations. Evidence that adocument or data compilation, in any form, (A) is in such condition as tocreate no suspicion concerning its authenticity, (B) was in a place where it,if authentic, would likely be, and (C) has been in existence 20 years or moreat the time it is offered.
(9) Process or System. Evidence describing a process or systemused to produce a result and showing that the process or system produces anaccurate result.
(10) Methods Provided by Statute. Any method of authenticationor identification provided by statute. (1983, c. 701, s. 1.)