This case study explores the ethical considerations surrounding the exhibition of human body casts in museums, focusing on the well-known casts from Pompeii, Italy. These casts were created by filling imprints left in hardened volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives and deaths of ancient Pompeii’s residents. The technique, pioneered in the nineteenth century by Giuseppe Fiorelli, has evolved over time but continues to elicit strong reactions and ethical debates. This chapter discusses the historical background of these casts, their value as archaeological and educational tools, and the challenges of preserving them. Ethical concerns are analyzed within the context of museum studies, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach that considers the interests of archaeologists, biological anthropologists, the scientific and community at large. We pose questions for curators to consider in the care and display of victims in the context of a scholar-activist framework which centers criticality, normative orientation, and active engagement. The chapter advocates for the exhibition of cast replicas rather than originals to preserve the integrity of these artifacts and uphold ethical standards. It concludes by proposing the creation of an ‘ethical laboratory’ involving all stakeholders to guide future exhibitions, ensuring adherence to principles of freedom, accountability, transparency, and social responsibility, as indicated by current national guidelines. This framework aims to strengthen ethical reliability and promote a collaborative relationship between science and society.