Last day of Cardinal George Pell's hearing

The lead detective in charge of investigating historical sex offence allegations against Cardinal George Pell is due to give evidence on the final day of a hearing that will determine if Australia's most senior-ranked Catholic stands trial.

Pell, 76, is facing a committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court over historical sex offences involving multiple complainants.

Detective Acting Sergeant Christopher Reed was the lead investigator in Operation Tethering, a taskforce investigating Pell that began in March 2013.

Sgt Reed is scheduled to give evidence on Thursday, the last day of the pre-trial hearing.

On Wednesday the defence questioned whether the investigation was a "get Pell operation".

Barrister Robert Richter QC said Tethering started as an operation looking for a crime when no crimes had been reported.

Police have described it as an "intel probe".

More than 30 witnesses have given evidence in open court since Pell's committal hearing began on March 5.

The first five-and-a-half days of the hearing were held in a closed court as the complainants gave evidence, as required by law in sex offence cases.

The court has not released details of the charges, but the defence has cross-examined witnesses about alleged incidents at a swimming pool, a church, a cinema, and a rural Victorian lake.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington will reserve her decision once the hearing finishes on Thursday afternoon.

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