Anomaly Classification Guide
Classification:
Anomalies are categorized into one of sixteen classifications for the purposes of resource management and priority. The classification is often initially assigned by the first Investigation Division field agent to make contact with the anomaly. Final classification is then decided by Director of Investigation (Currently Dr. Charles Darwin) after all reports have been collected. The classification is assigned depending on a large number of factors, but can be condensed down to two major classes: containment difficulty and threat level to the existence of mankind.
All anomaly classifications are subject to change and modification depending on circumstances including: new research discovery, anomaly temperament, and evolution.
Containment Difficulty:
Class-D: These anomalies are considered the most simple and resource-efficient to contain. These sort of anomalies may only require a one-time relocation, or storage in a location with minimal maintenance and security. 55% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A bed-time spook creature that require just a simple cell, electric door, an armed guard, and food would be considered a D-Class anomaly.
Class-C: Anomalies of this class require at least a moderate degree of manpower or supervision in order to contain properly. While a containment breach is minimal, on-site security teams will often need to be well trained and equipped in order to re-contain the anomaly. 33% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A vampire that require a facility that included multiple deterrent systems, GPS tracking, 24-hour surveillance, specialized guards with special equipment, and at least one fail-safe option would be considered a C-Class anomaly.
Class-B: This class of anomaly will require a significant amount of resource to keep contained. The anomaly may need to be relocated on a frequent basis, or the condition of the containment may require maintenance very frequently to prevent a breach. All on-site personnel will need to be very well trained and equipped in the case of a breach, which is far more likely to occur than with a C-Class. B-Class anomalies will also usually require custom-fit specialized containment equipment built by SPIRE R&D specialists. 9% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A ghostly spirit that require a specialized-custom built facility built under a false front in a remote location deep in the snowy arctic with multiple fail-safes, and a staff of over 50 personnel to monitor and guard it would be considered a B-Class anomaly.
Class-A: While Class-A anomalies may not represent the most danger to SPIRE personnel, they represent the most difficult to contain, or are extremely unpredicatable. Full containment of Class-A anomalies is often impossible, or require an extremely significant drain on SPIRE resources. Sometimes, if the anomaly is dangerous enough, human life is considered a cost-effective, if amoral, way to contain the anomaly. Anomalies that are considered indestructible will often be considered a Class-A, especially if the anomaly is hostile. 3% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: An ethereal ghost warrior that is capable of teleportation on a weekly basis, or a monstrous creature capable of tearing through multiple layers of titanium and concrete walls while being immune to all types of damage with no known weakness will be considered an A-Class anomaly.
Risk & Danger Potential:
Class-4: Anomalies that fall under this class are usually benign. They pose very little or minimal danger to humankind and sometimes are considered harmless. 30% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A paranormal toaster that will pop out wheat bread whenever white bread is loaded into it will be considered a class-4 anomaly.
Class-3: The anomalies that fall into this class pose at least a moderate threat to SPIRE personnel. Usually, anomalies that exhibit a degree of sentience fall into this category by nature of being inherently unpredictable. These anomalies usually have no issues with killing or hurting humans, and will often choose that course of action depending on the circumstances. 55% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A lycanthrope creature that has one homicide on record would be considered a class-3 anomaly.
Class-3: These anomalies pose a significant threat to SPIRE personnel and potentially to the rest of humankind. Often, this sort of anomaly will be be inherently hostile to humans, will make great effort to kill or maim any humans or lifeforms in the area. Many class-2 anomalies are terminated after classification has been assigned. 13% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A doppelganger-type creature that seeks out widowed females to gorge on their flesh and blood would be considered a class-2 anomaly.
Class-1: Anomalies in this category are considered to be extremely dangerous, and pose a clear and present threat to SPIRE and mankind as a whole. Few SPIRE resources are spared when dealing with class-1 anomalies. In the history of SPIRE, only 6 class-1 anomalies have been classified, and every single one of them have been given the termination order immediately after assignment. 2% of anomalies fall under this category.
Example: A deadly ghost virus that infects any lifeform that makes contact with it, and then turning the victim into a walking contagion vessel, spreading the virus as much as possible, would be considered a class-1 anomaly.
Classification Guide:
All anomalies will be classified using the two gauges mentioned above. For example, a class-C3 anomaly is moderately difficult to contain, but can pose some danger to SPIRE personnel. A class-B2 anomaly is especially dangerous, and also quite difficult to contain. A class-A4 anomaly is relatively harmless, but near impossible to fully contain for a long length of time.
Current On-File Anomalies:
Gwisin - Class-A3
