Under Rule 901, what is typically required to authenticate a photograph or image?

• A. The photo's relevance suffices.
• B. The photographer's name on the back is enough.
• C. The image's file extension is enough.
• D. Sufficient proof that the photograph or image is what it purports to be, typically through testimony identifying the source or chain of custody.

Answer: (D)

The main concept here is authentication under Rule 901: you must show that the photograph or image is what it is claimed to be. In practice, this is typically done through testimony or other proof that identifies the source or establishes the chain of custody, demonstrating that the image came from a specific source and has not been altered since its creation. This link to origin or custody gives the court confidence that the item truly represents what it purports to show, which is the essential gatekeeping step for admitting photographs as evidence.

Relying on relevance alone doesn’t establish authenticity, and simple details like a photographer’s name on the back or a file extension don’t prove that the image is what it claims to be or that it hasn’t been tampered with. The focus is on showing the image’s origin and integrity, usually via a witness who can identify the source or trace the custody of the image from creation to presentation.