THE mobilisation of logistics and volunteers in the search for Nora Anne Quoirin was both impressive and inspiring. It is sad that with all the efforts taken, we could not save her.

We now share the grief over the loss of this child, who died in somewhat mysterious circumstances. And when official enquiries and investigations cannot completely explain the circumstances leading to her death, speculation feeds on the possibilities.

Two key questions stand out – could someone known to the victim be responsible, and did the authorities act fast enough to cover all angles, using all the tools of investigation available?

Police, caught between a rock and a hard place, could not classify the case as a criminal offence simply because the first information report did not say if there was suspicion of an offence.

The authorities, however, have done their best by standard operating procedures.

On the same note, and at the other end of the competency spectrum, I am afraid we fall short of experience and subjectivity to make the right calls.

We need to immediately revamp our SOPs on missing persons. We owe Nora Anne and her loved ones at least that.

Reports lodged on missing persons must be acted on swiftly and efficiently. The general SOP in place now is to wait 24 hours before investigations are launched. Police actions are faster when cases are classified as a criminal offence.

A Missing Persons Act with all the powers of a criminal investigation, as stipulated in the criminal procedure code, should be considered.

At the moment, missing persons enquiries are left to the officer in charge of a police station (OCS), and are not given the same priority as a criminal case.

These days, the number of missing persons cases is overwhelmingly high, increasing in tandem with growing social problems. This is closely linked to juvenile delinquency and mischief. The OCS in most urban areas is unable to cope.

It is time to make missing persons enquiries a department on its own with enough manpower and logistics to ensure priority is given to such investigations.

A specific act will enable police or the empowered agency to act on suspects early, with all the powers of arrest, seizure, detention and search at any stage of the probe.

These powers will ensure that no stone is left unturned in missing persons investigations in the future. – August 19, 2019.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.