Which rule covers 'Comparison by an Expert Witness or the Trier of Fact' in authentication?

Which rule covers 'Comparison by an Expert Witness or the Trier of Fact' in authentication?

• A. Rule 901. (b)(3)
• B. Rule 901. (b)(5)
• C. Rule 901. (a)
• D. Rule 805

Answer: (A)

Authentication can be shown by allowing a comparison to a genuine exemplar, done by an expert or by the trier of fact, to prove a item is what it claims to be. This specific method is described in Rule 901(b)(3), which covers appearance, contents, distinctive characteristics, taken with the circumstances, as a way to authenticate. Because the question points to that exact approach—comparison by an expert or the jury to establish authenticity—Rule 901(b)(3) is the best fit. Other options refer to different authentication pathways or unrelated rules and don’t address the explicit comparison mechanism.

Authentication can be shown by allowing a comparison to a genuine exemplar, done by an expert or by the trier of fact, to prove a item is what it claims to be. This specific method is described in Rule 901(b)(3), which covers appearance, contents, distinctive characteristics, taken with the circumstances, as a way to authenticate. Because the question points to that exact approach—comparison by an expert or the jury to establish authenticity—Rule 901(b)(3) is the best fit. Other options refer to different authentication pathways or unrelated rules and don’t address the explicit comparison mechanism.