AFTE Store - Scientific Examination and Comparison of Skin Simulants for Distance Determinations

Distance determinations based on stippling and/or tattooing patterns on a victim’s skin have been conducted using a wide variety of simulant materials in this country and internationally over a span of decades. These simulant materials range in type from pig skin to aluminum foil; however, a direct, objective comparison of these patterns on live human skin to patterns on simulants which most closely represents human skin are fresh pig skin, twill jean cloth, Whatman 1 blotter paper, and Whatman 10 BenchKote, Fresh pig skin was the most accurate simulant test, wile the twill jean and blotter paper were more accurate from 2-3 feet, and the BenchKote was more accurate at 3-4 feet. Other testing materials were examined and deemed unsuitable based on numeric criteria.