(a) In General. To satisfy the requirement of authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is.
(b) Examples. The following are examples only—not a complete list—of evidence that satisfies the requirement:
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(1) Testimony of a Witness with Knowledge. Testimony that an item is what it is claimed to be.
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(2) Nonexpert Opinion About Handwriting. A nonexpert’s opinion that handwriting is genuine, based on a familiarity with it that was not acquired for the current litigation.
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(3) Comparison by an Expert Witness or the Trier of Fact. A comparison by an expert witness or the trier of fact with a specimen that the court has found is genuine.
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(4) Distinctive Characteristics and the Like. The appearance, contents, substance, internal patterns, or other distinctive characteristics of the item, taken together with all the circumstances.
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(5) Opinion About a Voice. An opinion identifying a person’s voice—whether heard firsthand or through mechanical or electronic transmission or recording—based on hearing the voice at any time under circumstances that connect it with the alleged speaker.
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(6) Evidence About a Telephone Conversation. For a telephone conversation, evidence that a call was made to the number assigned at the time to:
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- (A) a particular person, if circumstances, including self-identification, show that the person answering was the one called; or
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- (B) a particular business, if the call was made to a business and the call related to business reasonably transacted over the telephone.
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(7) Evidence About Public Records. Evidence that:
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- (A) a document was recorded or filed in a public office as authorized by law; or
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- (B) a purported public record or statement is from the office where items of this kind are kept.
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(8) Evidence About Ancient Documents or Data Compilations. For a document or data compilation, evidence that it:
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- (A) is in a condition that creates no suspicion about its authenticity;
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- (B) was in a place where, if authentic, it would likely be; and
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- (C) is at least 20 years old when offered.
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(9) Evidence About a Process or System. Evidence describing a process or system and showing that it produces an accurate result.
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(10) Methods Provided by a Statute or Rule. Any method of authentication or identification allowed by a statute or other rule prescribed under statutory authority.