The 21-year-old University of Otago student assaulted while studying in her Waverley home on Wednesday continues to suffer from short-term memory loss, and was yet to be formally interviewed by police.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve McGregor said police had only obtained a small amount of information from the woman, who sustained head injuries when she was attacked by an intruder.
Her "ongoing short-term memory loss" had prevented detectives from conducting a formal interview, he said.
The woman remains in a stable condition in Dunedin Hospital and underwent further tests yesterday, he said.
Police did not know if the attack was a "burglary gone wrong, or that she was specifically targeted".
Asked if the intruder may have been known to the student, Det Sen Sgt McGregor said police were not ruling that out but would not be drawn into speculatingHe confirmed the weapon used in the assault was "foreign to the house", but declined to say what the weapon was.
Forensic tests at the house had been carried out, and results were not expected for several weeks, he said.
It was hoped forensic tests would help police with their inquiries, he said.
The victim's family returned to the Scobie Rd property on Thursday night.
Police had interviewed the mother and sister of the victim, and now believe the intruder was in the house as early as 1.50pm on Wednesday, and would have left about 2.15pm.
He did not want to alarm the Dunedin public, but said people should always remember to keep doors and windows locked.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Dunedin police on 471-4800.
