Data from an experiment on the ^{197}Au+^{197}Au reaction at 23AMeV are analyzed with an aim to find signatures of exotic nuclear configurations such as toroid-shaped objects. The experimental data are compared with predictions of the etna code, dedicated to look for such configurations, and with the quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) model. A novel criterion of selecting events possibly resulting from the formation of exotic freeze-out configurations, "the efficiency factor", is tested. Comparison between experimental data and model predictions may indicate the formation of flat and/or toroidal nuclear systems.