Pain Camera

Item #: SCP-5200

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5200 is to be kept in the designated enhanced steal safe marked for observation, within the current classified location behind 12 inch thick steel blast doors or the equivalent. No less than 6 adequately armed guards should be posted at the entrance of, and inside SCP-5200’s containment chamber at all times. Remote surveillance should be maintained inside of the safe as well as it's containment chamber, and update reports are to be sent hourly to confirm containment. All personal given access to SCP-4500 should have scored at minimum 60 points on the Milgram Obedience Examination.

Description: SCP-5200 has the appearance of a 1951 Mercury II (model CX) camera. It seems very close to factory specs when compared to other version that were produced around the same time, the only difference appearing to be, instead of the words ‘depth of focus’ printed on the rear focal guide, it reads ‘depth of pain’ and the serial number along side has been scratched off.

SCP-5200 was first encountered when it arrived at the place of residence of Individual - despite that being, for all conceivable circumstances, impossible. SCP-5200 arrived in a non-de-script cardboard box on it's first manifestation, accompanied by a simple, black and white, greeting card (see addendum).

After first containment, experiments revealed SCP-5200 reacted normally to all forms of damage. Approval was given and SCP-5200 was scheduled for decommission. Incineration reduced SCP-5200 to ash and the ash deposed of. 4 hours after burn and remains removal Individual - discovered an identical SCP-5200 in close proximity to themselves facing Individual - directly. It is unclear if this second instance is the original SCP-5200 or a copy, though they seem to be physically identical. SCP-5200 has been also been, melted, dropped into the ocean, launched into orbit and smashed. Each time, if the remains are observed they will slowly vanish from reality over a period between 1 and 7 hours and be found facing Individual - in close proximity.

SCP-5200’s anomalous properties manifest when a photo is taken of a sentient life-form. At the time the shutter release is activated all individuals within the focal range of the camera will be subjected to an amount of metal agony proportional to the negative results of actions taken by the individual over their lifetime. These events will be referred to as ‘Shutter Events’.

The means by which SCP-5200 measures this proportion is, as of yet, unknown. When questioned, subjects exposed to SCP-5200’s anomalous properties report thinking it is accurate in it's calculations.

Pain inflicted by SCP-5200 seems to be entirely mental, no physical harm has ever been recorded that can be linked directly to the influence of SCP-5200, though in almost every case reactions to a SCP-5200 shutter event evoke self harm, suicide or sustained major mental stress of the subject.

If film is placed into SCP-5200 and photos taken of at least one sentient creature, images will have major distortions in a manner congruent with the amount and type of pain inflicted upon individuals subjected to the shutter event. Distortions seems abstract, with a slightly unreal appearance, not necessarily accurately portraying the environment and other objects as they appear at the time of the photo. Negatives show no distortion.

Experiment log:

Testing chamber viewed threw a one way mirror by three high ranking research personnel including Dr. Prism, Dr.Ash and Dr.--.

Test 1 : D-13245- incarcerated for manslaughter, hit and run against estranged family members, plead guilty, expressed regret and guilt of his crimes.

D-13245 told to sit in chair 3m from SCP-5200 and to hold still for a photograph. D-13245 has been made to assume this is for an ID card and enters the room and sits without indecent.

Shutter event- Immediately after the release button is pressed D-13245 goes completely ridged, vomit spraying from his mouth with unusual force. While screaming and gnashing his teeth D-13245 severs his tongue with his own incisors and begins to choke on his own blood. Security personnel ordered to intervene and hold D-13245 down while anesthesia is administered. Medical personnel able to stabilize and install an emergency tracheotomy.

Photo- Feet appear normal, while everything above the knees appears to be a mishmash of splattered organs and tire tracks.

Notable segment from interview- *written as subject was unable to speak. ‘It was my whole life, everything wrong I ever did… it ended with the worst thing I ever done. My worst mistake. It took him hours, hours to die, his guts all messed up like that…’ Subject committed suicide with provided pen used for interview shortly after completion. Pushing it through his right eye socket without warning.

Conclusion- Regret seems to have no mitigating effects of SCP-5200’s shutter event. D-13245 seems to have thought a great deal about his mistakes before undergoing SPC-4500’s shutter event. Maybe guilt how it makes it's calculations. If it reads their guilt and manifests it into the subject then someone without guilt should be immune.

Test 2: D-25981- incarcerated for manslaughter, home invasion and the killing of family within by blunt force trauma to the heads and body. Subject has all signs of complete psychopathic derangement, he is most likely unable to feel empathy and has expressed no regret for his actions.

D-25981 told to sit in chair 3m from SCP-5200 and to hold still for a photograph. D-25981 resits and has to be subdued by security personnel and scrapped to the chair around the wrists, legs and torso.

Shutter event- D-25981 screams, yells are indiscernible. D-25981 writhes against his restraints causing deep lacerations to his skin. Twisting his head in an unnatural angle D-25981 begins to smash his head repeating against the left corner of his chair while continuing to vocalize extreme distress. Security personnel enter the room, but are unable to stop D-25981 in time before fatal damage is suffered to his head and neck.

Photo- Subject heavily obscured, only D-25981’s left leg and right hand can be seen from under many white slashing marks obfuscating the image. Some kind of black liquid seems to be spraying out from beneath these scour marks.

Interview- NA

Conclusion- Scratch that idea, D-25981 had no remorse for his actions and seems to have suffered the same effects from SCP-5200. Maybe we need a control group, get a D class with the tamest record possible… they might be rare, but we all know not everyone who gets assigned to D class deserves to be there.

Test 3: D-53262- Came into foundation custody when --------------. Has no record of violent crime, and has expressed frequently that he has tried to lead a good life and to treat others fairly.

D-53262- told to sit in chair 3m from SCP-5200 and to hold still for a photograph. D-53262 has been made to assume this is for an ID card and enters the room and sits without indecent. His hands and legs are bound and his neck braced for his own safety.

Shutter event- Dr.-- seemed to have wanted to get a closer look and moved forward from his previous position, and unknowingly into the line of sight of SCP-5200. In-spite of the one way mirror the effects of SCP-5200's shutter even captured him as well. Dr.-- fell to the floor, arms and legs contorting as if having a seizure. Dr. Ash reflectively came to his aid, propping up his head and calling for aid. After several seconds of thrashing on the floor, Dr.-- suddenly lashed out at Dr. Ash puncturing the eyes with his thumbs while reportedly screaming, ‘What have we done! What we have done!’ repeatedly. Security personnel entered the room and successfully put down Dr.-- before he could reach Dr. Prism.
After reviewing tapes D-53262 seems to have jump in surprise at the shutter event, before collapsing shortly after into a sobbing heap on the floor, repeatedly calling out ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know.’

Photo- While D-53262 in the foreground appeared with over-exposure burns over his eyes and upper right torso, Dr.-- showed much larger deformation. His head twisting up and to the side, his mouth stretched into an unnatural scream, as well seemingly causing significant distortion of the background. The clarity of his image seemed unnaturally uninhibited from the one way mirror.

Interview- Dr. Prism seemed very shook up from the indecent, but expressed a desire to stay on the project, saying ‘This thing, was sent to us for a reason… I need to know why.’.
D-53262 has been severely depressive after the shutter event, and was put on suicide watch. He also exhibits extreme paranoia, reporting wanting to avoid hurting others at all cost.

Conclusion- Transcript of Dr. Prism; SCP-5200 doesn’t seem to take into account what good comes from the actions of individuals subjected to a shutter event. Dr.-- had done a great deal of work with -------- and I believe… I have to believe… that the good that has come from those sacrifices that greatly outweighs the harm inflicted. I think I am starting to understand why the 05’s have this thing under such a strict lock-down. They are afraid of it… Maybe they're right to be, maybe we should all fear judgment for what we have done… and who ever sent SCP-5200 wants us feel that retribution.

Addendum: The following was written in ink inside the greeting card found with the first manifestation of SCP-5200.
'Hello -, say cheese.'

Currently all new testing and information regarding SCP-5200 are restricted to select personnel.
Testing on other SCPs is pending approval.