Why are lab reports prepared by technicians generally inadmissible as business records?

Lab reports prepared by technicians are often deemed inadmissible as business records primarily due to the confrontation clause, which comes from the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This clause guarantees a defendant the right to confront witnesses testifying against them. In the context of lab reports, these documents typically involve statements made by the technician who analyzed the evidence. If the technician does not testify in court, the defendant is denied the opportunity to cross-examine that individual about the report's findings, thus infringing upon their rights.

While authentication and the presence of hearsay can certainly affect the admissibility of various types of evidence, the unique nature of lab reports—particularly when they involve crucial findings relevant to the prosecution—highlights the fundamental right to confrontation. This makes the confrontation clause a significant factor in determining the admissibility of lab reports as business records.