Life Model Decoy

In publications from Marvel Comics, a Life Model Decoy (frequently known by the abbreviation LMD) is fictional android designed to function as an exact body double for VIPs. Their design is such that they mimic the subject's outer appearance (fingerprints, hair, all details of the skin), speech patterns, scent, iris and retina patterns, body language, thought patterns (to fool telepaths) and any other biological indicators one could think of. Aside from any invasive procedure or strong EMP, they are indistinguishable from the original.

They were first created after the brain-washed assassin Winter Soldier assassinated a U.S. official, causing an LMD to be created to stand in his place. S.H.I.E.L.D. has used LMD substitutes for key personnel for decades, most notably as stand-ins for their director, Nick Fury (whose decoys, Spider-Woman has remarked, never smell right). The most advanced derivatives of this technology are the autonomous mecha from (their other technological parents being the Mannites).

Other versions

Heroes Reborn

In the "Heroes Reborn" universe, Captain America was brainwashed into living a suburbanite life, for his protection, and his wife and son were LMDs.

In other media

*LMDs also appeared in the "" film starring David Hasselhoff.