A warning, the following story contains distressing content.
The detective who interviewed Lauren Dickason after she killed her three children told the court he could see she was struggling and he wanted to show empathy.
The defence lawyer questioned whether detective Michael Kneebone properly checked Dickason's mental state before he talked to her.
Dickason was interviewed at the Timaru police station less than 24 hours after she killed her three young daughters.
The 42-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the murders of twins Karla and Maya, and their older sister Liane, arguing insanity and infanticide.
Adam Burns reports.
