RULE ER 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 Opinion on Handwriting. Nonexpert opinion as to
the genuineness of handwriting, based upon familiarity not
acquired for purposes of the litigation.

    (3) Comparison by Court or Expert Witness. Comparison by the
court 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 person or business, if
(i) in the case of a person, circumstances, including
self-identification, show the person answering to be the one
called, or (ii) 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 telephone.

    (7) Public Records or Reports. (Reserved. See RCW 5.44 and CR 44.)

    (8) Ancient Documents or Data Compilation. Evidence that a
document or data compilation, in any form, (i) is in such
condition as to create no suspicion concerning its authenticity,
(ii) was in a place where it, if authentic, would likely be, and
(iii) has been in existence 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 statute or court rule.


[Adopted effective April 2, 1979.]


             Comment 901

[Deleted effective September 1, 2006.]