Police say the investigation into Cameron Dormer's apparent hoax disappearance will cost more than $10,000.
Officers from four districts were involved and the acting inquiry head last night told the Weekend Herald police would consider seeking reparation from the 25-year-old, depending on an analysis of his mental state.
"He may well be in need of some mental health treatment but that doesn't mean he's psychotic or psychologically unstable to the point that he can't be made accountable for his actions," said Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Moorhouse, of Hastings.
"Some of us can be mentally impaired to a degree and still break the law and knowingly do so. That's something we have to analyse, and that's going to be based entirely on what he has to say to us."
Mr Moorhouse estimated the cost of the investigation, in man-hours alone, would be more than $10,000.
He said Hastings CIB had worked full-time on the case for a week, and staff in New Plymouth and Wellington had helped. The estimate did not include a potentially costly forensic examination of Dormer's burned-out car conducted by Bay of Plenty police.
Dormer is maintaining his silence on his mysterious disappearance, which an expert said was likely to be the result of "a low mood" rather than a psychotic episode.
He suffers from a blood disease and depression, and is understood to regularly use marijuana and morphine for the blood disease. He came to the attention of police and mental health services a year ago, when he assaulted his partner, but claimed to have no recollection of the incident.
Those who know Dormer describe him as an intensely private person, who was grief-stricken when his mother died after a long illness, also about a year ago. He had been living with his partner and partner's parents in Hastings before his disappearance, but is now in the care of his father in New Plymouth.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Justin Barry-Walsh said Dormer's disappearance appeared planned, which did not fit the "delusional, impulsive, disorganised" pattern of psychotic episodes.
Dormer's partner of four years, Clinton Hughes, said Dormer had yet to give him an explanation, despite a six-hour phone conversation early yesterday. However, Dormer had apologised and said: "You know I love you, eh."
Police say it is too early to say if Dormer will face further charges besides wasting police time and possession of cannabis and a pipe, or if two other men possibly involved in the disappearance will be charged.
