7. Which of the following items of evidence is LEAST likely to be admitted without a supporting witness?

Before a writing or any secondary evidence of its content may be received into evidence, the writing must be authenticated by proof showing that the writing is what the proponent claims it is. The writing usually needs a testimonial sponsor to prove that the writing was made, signed, or adopted by the particular relevant person. Fed. R. Evid. 901, 902, 903. Contrary to the general rule, however, there are certain writings that are said to «prove themselves» or to be «self-identifying» on their face. Under FRE 902, extrinsic evidence of authenticity is therefore not required for: (i) printed materials purporting to be newspapers or periodicals; (ii) trade inspections, signs, tags, or labels purporting to have been affixed in the course of business and indicating ownership, control, or origin; or (iii) official publications (i.e., books, pamphlets, or other publications purporting to be issued by a public authority).

C is correct. The general rule is that, before an item of evidence can be admitted, it must be authenticated by proof showing that the writing is what the proponent claims it is. Typically this requires a testimonial sponsor. However, there are certain documents that are self-authenticating and do not need a supporting witness before they can be admitted. Of all the choices provided, the only document that is not self-authenticating under FRE 902 is the document purporting to be a memorandum from the defendant company president to «All Personnel,» printed on the defendant's letterhead. Therefore, this is the least likely to be admitted without a supporting witness.

A is incorrect. Printed materials purporting to be newspapers or periodicals, such as a copy of a newspaper purporting to be published by the defendant newspaper publishing company, are self-authenticating, and therefore do not require a testimonial sponsor for authentication. See Fed. R. Evid. 902.

B is incorrect. Trade inspections, signs, tags, or labels purporting to have been affixed in the course of business and indicating ownership, control, or origin, such as a can label purporting to identify the canner as the defendant company, are self-authenticating, and therefore do not require a testimonial sponsor for identification. See Fed. R. Evid. 902.

D is incorrect. Official publications (i.e., books, pamphlets, or other publications purporting to be issued by a public authority), such as a pamphlet on stopping distances issued by the State Highway Department, are self-authenticating, and therefore do not require a testimonial sponsor for identification. See Fed. R. Evid. 902.