KRE 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 testimony on handwriting. Nonexpert opinion as to the

genuineness of handwriting, based upon familiarity not acquired for the

purposes of 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 place 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

phone.

(7) Public records or reports. Evidence that a writing authorized by law to b e

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 compilatio n. 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 twenty (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 the General Assembly or by rule prescribed

by the Supreme Court of Kentucky.