Federal Rules of Evidence: Authentication In General. Authentication

1st a sufficient foundation must be laid for real & demonstrative evidence to sustain a finding of fact that the evidence is what the proponent claims it to be.

Forms:

1. personal knowledge
2. distinctive markings
3. chain of custody

Scientific evidence:
1. proper working order
2. qualified individual operating
3. generally accepted in the scientific community

Writings:
1. lay witness with familiarity
2. expect comparison

Photographs-accurate portrayal

Voice authentication:

1. Residential
a. Connected caller
b. Knowledge

2. Business
a. Dialed call
b. Reasonably related to business

Self authentication: Certain evidentiary items are self authenticating and thereby an exception to the rule.

If you require the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer in Southern California for a white collar crime such as a forgery charge, please feel free to contact a criminal attorney in our Orange County office for further assistance.