Which rule governs evidence about a telephone conversation?

• A. Rule 901. (b)(6)
• B. Rule 901. (b)(7)
• C. Rule 901. (b)(8)
• D. Rule 902. (2)

Answer: (A)

Authentication is the process of showing evidence is what it claims to be. For a telephone conversation, the rule that fits this need is the one that specifically says a telephone conversation can be authenticated by showing who spoke or by the witness who heard the call describe it. This is found in Rule 901, subsection (b)(6). It gives the practical way to establish that a recorded or described phone exchange actually reflects the stated communication and identifies the participants.

The other options don’t govern telephone conversations. One relates to self-authenticating documents, which is a different category of evidence, and the remaining subsections cover other authentication methods that are not specifically about telephone conversations.