Which option describes a valid method to authenticate a photograph?

Which option describes a valid method to authenticate a photograph?

• A. The photographer's testimony about how the photo was taken
• B. A notarization of the photo
• C. A witness with knowledge identifying the photo or chain-of-custody showing origin
• D. A description of the photo's subject

Answer: (C)

Authenticating a photograph hinges on proving its provenance and that it accurately represents what it purports to show. A witness with knowledge can identify the photo and testify that it is a true and correct depiction, linking the image to a person, event, or scene. Or, the chain-of-custody can establish origin, showing who handled the photo from the moment it was created to its presentation in court, helping to prove it hasn’t been altered. Together, these approaches give reliable assurance of authenticity. The other options fall short because describing how the photo was taken speaks to the creation details but not to its provenance or integrity; notarization of the photo isn’t a dependable method for proving authenticity in most cases; and merely describing the subject doesn’t address where the image came from or whether it has been preserved without tampering.

Authenticating a photograph hinges on proving its provenance and that it accurately represents what it purports to show. A witness with knowledge can identify the photo and testify that it is a true and correct depiction, linking the image to a person, event, or scene. Or, the chain-of-custody can establish origin, showing who handled the photo from the moment it was created to its presentation in court, helping to prove it hasn’t been altered. Together, these approaches give reliable assurance of authenticity.

The other options fall short because describing how the photo was taken speaks to the creation details but not to its provenance or integrity; notarization of the photo isn’t a dependable method for proving authenticity in most cases; and merely describing the subject doesn’t address where the image came from or whether it has been preserved without tampering.