GINA B. GOOD / PVT Mary Ann Dion, SART's sexual assault nurse, holds a boxed sexual assault evidence collection kit, commonly called a rape kit. RELATED STORIES • Sexual Assault Response Team debuts • Evidence can prove -- and disprove -- charges • TV raises expectations Advertisement

Before moving to Pahrump, Mary Ann Dion was a trauma nurse for 30 years, including 15 in medevac - evacuating, evaluating and caring for patients en route to medical facilities.

To put it simply, she has experience treating people in extreme situations.

"I've had to learn to detach myself in order to get my job done," said Dion, while describing treating a 4-year-old girl dying at the scene of a traffic accident.

She will put that experience to use as the newly trained sexual assault nurse in Pahrump, conducting forensic examinations at the clinic just across the parking lot from the emergency room entrance of Desert View Hospital.

Dion said the forensic examination must be done before a victim takes a shower or even washes his or her hands.

"The examination must be done before the patient voids or smokes," said Dion. "I do a very careful examination from head to toe, to gather all the evidence for the police.

"I came to Pahrump last year to retire. I love it here and thought this was a great opportunity to help this community. It's amazing that Pahrump has never had a sexual assault nurse before."

She explained that in order to spot abnormalities when doing a forensic medical examination, a practitioner must first "understand what normal is."

In other words, a young boy may not know how to explain what happened or even if he should tell an adult about an incident of sexual assault.

A child may report bleeding or simply say he or she hurts. According to Dion, it is up to a medical provider to "know what a normal rectal area looks like, in order to spot abnormalities."

"People used to think that you could simply tell a girl had been abused if she was not intact," said Dion. "But that's not true. We have tools and ways of telling if a hymen was abused. My job is to be neutral and just to gather information. The victim advocate will believe the patient no matter what, but I can't form an opinion."

That's why Dion will likely be testifying in court during sexual abuse hearings.

"There is nothing worse than convicting an innocent man," said Dion. "All I testify on is the forensic evidence. We are all about proving or disproving if there was a sexual assault."

According to Assistant Sheriff Rick Marshall, victims may report a sexual assault but adamantly refuse to go through the required procedures for gathering evidence.

Dion explained why, saying, "When you have been assaulted, you are the evidence. They put you in the back of a police car and drive you all the way to Las Vegas. They won't let you urinate or defecate. They won't let you smoke a cigarette."