Under the Best Evidence Rule, which statement about duplicates is correct?

• A. Duplicated are never admissible
• B. Duplicated are admissible only with judicial approval
• C. Duplicated are admissible generally unless there is a genuine question about authenticity or misrepresentation
• D. Duplicated require a separate authentication

Answer: (C)

Under the Best Evidence Rule, a duplicate is admissible to prove the content of the original because it conveys the same information and accuracy as the original itself. It is allowed generally, unless there is a genuine question about the authenticity of the original or a concern that admitting the copy would be misleading or unfair due to misrepresentation. This means you don’t need to fight to admit a copy in typical cases, and you don’t require separate authentication beyond what already applies to the original. The statement captures the balance: duplicates are generally admissible, with exceptions only when authenticity is in doubt or the copy could mislead.