The first accused in the Altantuya murder trial chief inspector Azilah Hadri was interrogated for six days during which time he led the police to the crime scene, the High Court heard today.

Deputy superintendent Zainudin Abdul Samad, 52, said that the interrogation took place from Nov 2 to 7 last year.

Zainudin, the 21st prosecution witness, is the head of the interrogations department in the serious crime division.

The senior cop said that the first five days of interrogation - until Nov 6 - took place in the serious crime division at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

On the same day, Zainudin said, Azilah led the police to the crime scene in a secondary forest Puncak Alam in Shah Alam.

He was then transferred to the national police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 7.

During cross examination by Azilah's lawyer Hazman Ahmad, Zainudin, a veteran of 30 years, explained his interrogation techniques.

Hazman: How do you interrogate criminals? Kick? Punch?

Zainudin: I lean more towards conversation. I try to get to know a suspect. After getting to know the suspect better, they usually will be willing to express their feelings and what they went through.

The witness further elaborated, explaining that the interrogation officers will "monitor the suspect and get to know the suspect thoroughly, learning his details, what he likes, what he doesn't like and so on."

Crime scene contradiction

Zainudin, who was mentioned often in previous witness, chief inspector Koh Fei Cheow's (photo) testimonial, corroborated on most of Koh's evidence.

However, there was one discrepancy on what Azilah allegedly said at the crime scene.

Zainudin said that Azilah pointed out the area where Altantuya was shot, and only after that pointed out the area where she was blown up.

Previously, Koh told the court during his examination-in-chief that when they were at the crime scene, Azilah told him first that "this is the place where the Mongolian woman was blown up".

According to Koh, Azilah then led him to another area roughly 30ft from the "blast site" and told him: "This is where the Mongolian woman was shot".

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

Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 47, is charged with abetting them. All three face the death penalty if convicted.

Hearing before justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin continues tomorrow.