FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE

Article IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION

Rule 901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification

(a) General provision.

The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to
admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in
question is what its proponent claims.

(b) Illustrations.

By way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, the following are examples of
authentication or identification conforming with the requirements of this rule:

(1) Testimony of witness with knowledge. Testimony that a matter is what it is
claimed to be.

(2) Nonexpert opinion on handwriting. Nonexpert opinion as to the genuineness of
handwriting, based upon familiarity not acquired for purposes of the litigation.

(3) Comparison by trier or expert witness. Comparison by the trier of fact or by
expert witnesses with specimens which have been authenticated.

(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, whether heard firsthand or through
mechanical or electronic transmission or recording, by opinion based upon hearing the
voice at any time under circumstances connecting it with the alleged speaker.

(6) Telephone conversations. Telephone conversations, by evidence that a call was
made to the number assigned at the time by the telephone company to a particular
person or business, if (A) in the case of a person, circumstances, including
self-identification, show the person answering to be the one called, or (B) in the case
of a business, the call was made to a place of business and the conversation related to
business reasonably transacted over the telephone.

(7) Public records or reports. Evidence that a writing authorized by law to be recorded
or filed and in fact recorded or filed in a public 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 compilation. Evidence that a document or data
compilation, in any form, (A) is in such condition as to create 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 more at the time it is offered.

(9) Process or system. Evidence describing a process or system used to produce a
result and showing that the process or system produces an accurate result.

(10) Methods provided by statute or rule. Any method of authentication or
identification provided by Act of Congress or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme
Court pursuant to statutory authority.
 

Federal Rules of Evidence: Article IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION-
Rule 901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification: NOTES
 

Rule 403 Notes
Rule 403. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time-LII  
Rule 403 Legal Information Institute-LII
Rule 403 Notes Legal Information Institute-LII
Rule 409. Payment of Medical and Similar Expenses-LII
Rule 410. Inadmissibility of Pleas, Plea Discussions, and Related Statements-LII
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Federal Rules of Evidence: Rule 413: Notes
Federal Rules of Evidence: ARTICLE VI.  WITNESSES Rule 613. Prior Statements of Witnesses: NOTES  
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Federal Rules of Evidence: ARTICLE VI.  WITNESSES Rule 613. Prior Statements of Witnesses
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Rule 614. Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses by Court
Federal Rules of Evidence: ARTICLE VII. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY: Rule 801. Definitions
Federal Rules of Evidence: Article IX. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION Rule 901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification