Which rule of evidence requires that investigators provide supporting documents about the legitimacy of evidence?

The principle of authenticity in the context of evidence refers to the requirement that any evidence presented in court must be proven to be genuine and not tampered with. This means that investigators must demonstrate that the evidence they are presenting is what they claim it to be.

Supporting documents play a critical role in satisfying the authenticity requirement. These may include things like chain of custody documents, which track the handling of the evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. Other supporting documents might include certifications from forensic experts who processed the evidence or any relevant logs that indicate the methods used to collect and analyze the evidence.

By establishing authenticity, investigators help ensure that the evidence can be trusted and that it can withstand scrutiny during legal proceedings. This is vital because without proving that the evidence is authentic, it may be deemed inadmissible in a court of law, significantly affecting the outcome of a case.