The implication of the use of particular peak profile functions in the fit of diffraction data on the nature and density of stacking faults in layered solids is studied. Common type of profile functions are studied: Gauss, Lorentz, pseudoVoigt and Pearson VII. An additional peak profile is introduced. For each profile function the decaying term of the probability correlation function is determined and the expression for the correlation length is deduced. The form of the asymmetric component of each profile is also reported. Experimental data is fitted using each profile and the results are discussed.