Which of the following describes the authentication requirement for an exhibit and the typical foundation steps?

• A. Authentication requires evidence linking the item to what it is claimed to be; steps include identifying the item on the record, testimony linking it to the event or person, marking the exhibit, and offering it with foundation.
• B. Authentication is satisfied if the item looks authentic, without witness testimony.
• C. Authentication is only required for documents, not objects.
• D. Authentication is irrelevant if the item is admitted by stipulation.

Answer: (C)

Authentication means you must prove the item is what you claim it to be; appearance alone isn’t enough. To lay a proper foundation, you identify the exhibit on the record, have a witness testify that the item is connected to the event or person it’s said to represent, mark the exhibit for identification, and then offer it into evidence with that foundation in place. This sequence helps the court verify exactly what is being introduced and that it hasn’t been misrepresented or altered.

The idea that looking authentic satisfies authentication is incorrect, because authenticity relies on evidence beyond mere appearance. Authentication isn’t restricted to documents; physical objects require the same process to show they are what they are claimed to be. Stipulations can sometimes streamline the process, but they don’t replace the need to establish a proper foundation in typical practice.