An interrogating officer who said earlier today that he had not taken down notes when he visited Altantuya's crime scene got a chance to redeem himself in the afternoon session of the trial when he was re-examined by the prosecutors.

To questions by deputy public prosecutor Tun Majid Tun Hamzah, deputy superintendent Zainudin Abdul Samad clarified his reasons for not taking down notes during the Nov 6 visit to a jungle clearing in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam.

Zainudin ( photo ), who is the highest ranking officer in the interrogations department, explained that he was not on official duty when he visited the site with first accused Azilah Hadri.

He also explained that neither was he investigating anything at the crime scene.

As such, said the prosecution witness, there was no reason for him to log down any reports or notes in his investigation diary and daily diary (termed pol-4).

Tun Majid: You went to the crime scene on Nov 6. Were you investigating?

Zainudin: No.

Tun Majid: Since you didn't investigate, was there a need to log it in an investigation diary?

Zainudin: No.

Tun Majid: Did you need to record the visit in pol-4 (daily diary)?

Zainudin: I'm not sure.

Tun Majid: You weren't ordered to go to the crime scene, but you told the court it was of your own accord. Was it for your own benefit?

Zainudin: I went because it would make it easier for my next interview with Azilah.

Tun Majid: So it wasn't an official duty?

Zainudin: No. My official duty ended when I sent Azilah to the lock-up.

Tun Majid: So if you didn't write about the visit to the crime scene in pol-4, it was not a big deal, right?

Zainudin: I think so.

Passing motorist

He also told the court that after he arrived at the crime scene, he followed chief inspector Koh Fei Cheow to the "shooting site", and then spent 15 minutes by the car until he left the place.

Koh had previously testified that he was ordered by his superiors to take Azilah to the crime scene.

When cross-examined by Hazman Ahmad earlier, Zainudin admitted that he had been "careless in this matter", referring to omitting details of the car ride, such as what Azilah said, or didn't say and whether the driver received directions from Azilah.

The witness who was clearly flustered at the constant badgering from Hazman as to why he did not think of bringing his pol-4 or his investigation diary to court, made several long pauses before he answered questions, often saying "I don't know" when statements were put to him.

The senior officer also contradicted Koh's earlier testimony on the issue of whether there was a motorcycle that passed them by at the site.

Hazman: When you arrived at the clearing (in Puncak Alam), within two to three minutes, there was a motorcycle heading downhill that crossed paths with your vehicle?

Zainudin: I didn't realise it. Yes, wait... I need time to remember it... Yes, I remember that there was a motorcycle when we went up. We crossed paths at the bottom of the hill, not in the junction going up. Not at the unpaved road going uphill.

Koh testified that he did not see any vehicles crossing them on that day.

Giggles filled the gallery when the soft spoken police officer, answered 'yes' upon being asked by Tun Majid if the way he spoke to Azilah during interrogation was the same way he was speaking in court now.

Azilah, 31, and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 36, are charged with killing Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 last year.

Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 46, is charged with abetting them. All three face the death penalty if convicted.

Hearing before justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin continues tomorrow with the re-examinination of the same witness.