In the law of evidence authentication is the process by which documentary or material evidence is proved in a court to be genuine and not fabricated or manufactured.
A witness may testify on the chain of custody, within his knowledge, through which the evidence passed from time to time. The evidence in question can also be authenticated by an expert witness for its sanctity.
Handwritten documents may be proved by anybody acquainted with the handwriting or signature of the maker.
An ancient document will be considered authentic if it is proved to be more than twenty years old and discovered in appropriate place and condition.
Some documents are self authenticating ones such as official publications of the government, newspapers, periodicals, commercial labels, etc.
