Opinion ID: 853573
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Authentication of X-Ray

Text: In September of 1998, the State filed a Motion for Leave to X-Ray Defendant. The motion alleged that a witness in a co-defendant's trial had testified that Lewis said he had been shot with a shotgun. The witness also observed blood on one or both of Lewis' arms. The State sought x-rays to determine whether pellets from the shell remained in Lewis' torso. The trial court granted the motion. On October 27, x-rays of Lewis were taken at Wishard Hospital. The State sought admission of one of these x-rays, State's exhibit fifty-eight, at trial through firearms examiner Mickey French. When asked at trial how he recognized the exhibit, French responded that he had placed the name, case number, his initials, and the date on the envelope containing the x-ray. He agreed that the x-ray was in the same or substantially the same condition as when he placed it in the envelope. The x-ray bears the name Mark Lewis, the date of the x-ray (October 27, 1998), and the location of the x-ray (Wishard Hospital). French testified that he was present along with defense counsel, the deputy prosecutor, and a detective at Wishard Hospital when the x-ray was taken on October 27. French also testified that he produced a laboratory standard consisting of six different size shots and placed this standard in the x-ray at roughly the same level as the pellet in Lewis' leg. [3] The trial court admitted the x-ray over Lewis' objection, observing that French had testified he was present at the taking of the x-ray, had placed a standard in the x-ray, and had identified that standard in the exhibit. Pre-Rules of Evidence cases held that an x-ray is admissible in Indiana if (1) it is properly authenticated and (2) the x-ray photographer is shown to be competent. Labelle v. State, 550 N.E.2d 752, 754 (Ind.1990); accord 13A Robert Lowell Miller, Jr., Indiana Practice § 901.209, at 62-63 (2d ed.1995). Lewis does not challenge the competency of the x-ray photographer but rather challenges only its authentication. Evidence Rule 901(a) provides that [t]he requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims. The adoption of the Rules of Evidence does not alter the requirement that the sponsoring witness must establish that the x-ray is a true and accurate representation of the evidence portrayed. Labelle, 550 N.E.2d at 754. We review a trial court's ruling on authentication for an abuse of discretion. Id. In Labelle, this Court observed that most x-rays are authenticated through a physician or x-ray technician who testifies that the exhibit accurately depicts the internal structure of the person. Id. In that case, the State sought admission of an x-ray through the victim who testified about the date and location of the x-ray, the location of the bullet, and the presence of a gold orb and neck brace that appeared in the x-ray. He also testified that the x-ray exhibit at trial looked like the one he was shown shortly after the x-ray was taken. We found no abuse of discretion in allowing the victim to authenticate the x-ray. Id. We reach the same conclusion in Lewis' case, where there is as much, if not more, evidence that the exhibit was what French claimed it to be. The x-ray bears the name Mark Lewis, Wishard Hospital, and the date on which it was taken. Each of these items is corroborated by the testimony of French. French removed the x-ray from an envelope bearing his markings. In addition, French identified the six-shot standard that he included in the x-ray. [4] Under these circumstances, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding that French had sufficiently authenticated the x-ray. [5]