Police and Bain under microscope at murder scene

Former police have defended their investigations and David Bain's behaviour has been closely scrutinised in the first week of his murder retrial.

Bain's defence team have spent hours in the High Court at Christchurch grilling former and serving police officers who were part of the investigation when Bain's parents and three siblings were found dead in his Dunedin home on June 20, 1994.

Among those witnesses was the now-retired Detective Senior Sergeant James Doyle, who was second in charge of the original murder inquiry, but often essentially in charge.

Mr Doyle rejected the suggestion from defence lawyer Michael Reed, QC, that the investigation had been one-sided in focusing on David Bain and not his father, Robin - who the defence says shot dead his family before turning the rifle on himself.

Mr Reed: "You should have investigated Robin thoroughly, shouldn't you?"

Mr Doyle: "I believe we did investigate Robin thoroughly."

The latter part of the week was dominated by witnesses who had contact with David, giving the jury an insight into his behaviour before and after the killings.

Police officers described David Bain tapping on the window when they first arrived at the house, and their being unable to convince him to open the door.

Sergeant Murray Stapp told how he found Bain crying in a fetal position and later found him having what appeared to be a fit or seizure.

Questioning then focused on whether the seizure was genuine, with ambulance officer Craig Wombwell saying Bain did not show the signs of having a full-blown fit.

After five days, the court has heard from 22 witnesses, either appearing in person or having their evidence read to the jury. Other witnesses have included a surveyor, computer specialist and neighbours of the Bain family.

On Monday, other ambulance officers will give evidence about their roles at the Bain house on the morning of the murders. The trial is before Justice Graham Panckhurst and a jury of five men and seven women.

THE FIRST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, March 6
David Bain states "not guilty" to five murder charges in the High Court at Christchurch.

The Crown lays out its case that Bain shot dead his parents and three siblings before washing his blood-stained jersey and going on his paper run. The defence says the fear of incest between David's depressed father, Robin, and David's sister, Laniet, becoming known is a clear motive for a murder-suicide by Robin.

Monday, March 9
Former police photographers are questioned over photos and video shot in the Bain house. Trevor Gardener agrees he cannot conclusively identify which photos were taken by whom, exactly when they were taken or in what order. He says items were moved between photographs, which was not unusual.

Tuesday, March 10
James Doyle, second in charge of the original murder investigation, says he authorised the destruction of skin, blood smears and fingernail scrapings from Robin Bain in January 1996. Mr Doyle says they could not be used by this time but the defence argues modern testing could have made a crucial difference in David Bain's defence.

Wednesday, March 11
Sergeant Murray Stapp describes arriving at the Bain house on the morning of the killings to find David Bain in a fetal position, crying. A neighbour describes a change in David Bain, from being polite and friendly to ignoring her the last time she sees him before the murders.

Thursday, March 12
Discussion centres around whether an apparent fit by David Bain on the morning of the murders was genuine.

Chief ambulance officer Craig Wombwell says Robin Bain's body was much warmer than the others.

Yesterday
No court sitting.