'My job helping rape victims'

The St Mary's Centre in Manchester works with victims of alleged rape or sexual assault

Listening to the 16-year-old prostitute describe how she had been raped filled Dr Cath White with sadness.

But as a forensic medical examiner she had to keep her emotions from getting in the way of her professional independence.

Here, she tells BBC News Online about her often harrowing work.

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The prostitute's story, she says, was shocking: "It was just another kick in the face for her. It was so sad that she just sort of accepted it."

She added: "Some of the prostitutes can be the saddest cases we see. They don't tend to come to us unless they've got a lot of injuries because they don't want police involved - and it's almost to them an occupational hazard."

Dr White has worked as a medical examiner at the St Mary's Centre, at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester for the last six years.

The centre provides services for male and female victims of alleged rape or sexual assault from across Greater Manchester.

Dr White is also experienced in working with child victims.

You're not going to help them if you get all upset. You're there to do a job

Dr Cath White

She said she does see some harrowing cases - but cannot be seen to sympathise.

"We are there as an independent witness, on behalf of the court.

"You have to not get emotional about it.

"You're not going to help them if you get all upset. You're there to do a job.

Dr White, who also works as a GP, added: "If you always seem to be on the woman's side, you lose credibility in the courts."

Call-outs

Dr White and her colleagues see people who either refer themselves or, more usually, are referred to them by the police.

The job means many call-outs in the middle of the night, as Dr White might see up to five cases when she is on call - with each lasting around two hours.

She said she became interested in the field when she heard of a case where a woman had not been able to be examined after an alleged rape because there was no forensically trained female doctor available.

"This kind of work is very different to general practice. As a GP you are very much a 'jack of all trades, master of none'".

With the forensic science, she said, she could specialise in a particular area - and spend a lot longer with the patient.

Clients who she sees are given a head to toe medical examination and offered counselling, and an appointment at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases or emergency contraception if that is needed.

Children

Dr White, a mother of four says dealing with cases involving children can be the most difficult.

Medical staff have to be careful about what they ask the children they are examining as they will not yet have undergone video interviews with the police.

She added: "My eldest is 14 - I have three boys and a girl who is eight.

"I wonder how it's going to affect me when she gets to an age where she's going out. We're seeing the worst part of things - you have to keep that in perspective."

She added: "In a way, that's why you keep independent.

"If any of my boys ever got accused of anything, I would want the doctor to be well qualified and have integrity."