Section 18.2 Authenticity

• Library: Evidence 2017

II. (§18.2) Authenticity

Documents must be authenticated before they can be admitted into evidence, meaning that, unless authenticity is agreed to by the parties, there must be some evidence showing that the document is what the proponent claims it to be. Collins v. W. Plains Mem’l Hosp., 735 S.W.2d 404, 407 (Mo. App. S.D. 1987). Authenticity is never assumed. Id. The purpose served by the authentication requirement is protection against the perpetration of fraud and the occurrence of mistake. 2 McCormick...