KEY POINTS:
The officer heading the investigation into the killing of Auckland woman An An Liu has headed several high-profile police investigations and retains the confidence of his superiors.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott stopped fronting media briefings on Thursday after criticism about the case.
Detective Inspector Dave Pearson said he was now dealing with the media so Mr Scott could focus solely on the hunt for An An Liu's killer.
Mr Pearson told the Weekend Herald he had "full confidence" in Mr Scott, who has been a police officer for 16 years.
The case was the fourth murder inquiry Mr Scott had overseen and was among more than 10 he had been involved in, he said.
Mr Pearson said Mr Scott was a highly "skilled and competent" officer who was awarded a district commander's commendation for his work as second-in-command of a 2004 murder inquiry.
Mr Scott and his team were working exceptionally hard now on what was an "unusual" case because it involved so many countries and their different agencies.
Earlier this year, Mr Scott headed the investigation into the drownings of Devonport children Erina and Travis Rowles after the boat they were on sank in the Hauraki Gulf on April 25.
He also headed the inquiry into the self-defence shooting of a robber who, armed with a machete, burst into a Penrose gun shop and threatened owner Greg Carvell, who shot him in the stomach.
Mr Scott is coach of Ponsonby rugby team and has an active involvement in police rugby.
Assistant commissioner Rob Pope also expressed his confidence in the inquiry team at a briefing in Wellington on Thursday.
"The team working on this case is a highly skilled one, well led by Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott and comprises officers with considerable experience."
