In 2012, following the pilot field season conducted at the necropolis of Porta Nola in 2010 and a subsequent study season, the research focused upon the investigation of the casts of fugitives discovered in 1975 near the necropolis outside Porta Nola.
The study involved the direct examination of the visible bones through the plaster and the use of a laser scanner and x-ray machine to record the external and interior morphology of the casts. A detailed examination of the physical anthropology of the individuals preserved in the casts had not previously been undertaken, yet these casts are the most humane archaeological remains of Pompeii, and in their interior preserve the best anthropologic material to better understand the inhabitants of Pompeii.

The anthropological analysis has consisted of the reconstruction of bodies, an estimation of sex and age, a morphological examination to know the biological proximity and pathological identification. The radiological study provided important data concerning the decomposition of the corpse, the estimation of the age and pathologies. Indeed a particular influence of artropatologies as well as traumatic diseases that concern the extremities and the vertebral column were noted. These diseases are particularly interesting for estimating age and the kind of physical activity the individual undertook, which perhaps was related to social status. Severe osteoarthrosis in the articulation of knee is a key indication hard physical activity.

The 3D scanning of the bodies permitted an estimation of the real volume of corpse and the recording of all details of the subject from different angles and perspectives. In addition, the virtual representation of the individual allows anthropological measurements to be made of anatomical components, as well as the obtaining of an exact model of the original, which when the cast is broken allows the separated parts to be reconstructed allowing the recreation of the original aspect of the individual.