For the purposes of §§ 9-19-19 and 9-19-20, any finding, report, or record, or duly certified copy thereof, purporting to have been signed by such an officer or employee of the United States as is described in those sections, shall prima facie be deemed to have been signed and issued by such an officer or employee pursuant to law, and the person signing the report or record shall prima facie be deemed to have acted within the scope of his or her authority. If a copy purports to have been certified by a person authorized by law to certify the report or record, the certified copy shall be prima facie evidence of his or her authority so to certify.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-21