Victoria Police say the eight-year investigation remains a high priority.

A spokeswoman for the Victorian Coroners Court yesterday confirmed the inquest would also take priority.

Police media’s acting Sen-Sgt Jo Stafford said they hoped to submit the brief in June-July.

“We are continuing to prepare the inquest brief and aspects of the investigation require specialist review,” she said.

“This is necessary to provide the coroner with the most thorough understanding of what happened to Daniel Thomas.

“Once complete, the brief will be sent to the coroner, before an inquest date is set.

“Victoria Police is confident this process will be completed by mid-year.

“Police understand the frustration the investigation would create for the family, and can ensure the investigation it is a high priority.”

Daniel Thomas would have turned 11 this week.

He disappeared from his home in October, 2003 while being looked after by family friend Mandy Martyn.

His fate was a mystery until dogs dug up his bones in March 2008 at a house his mother, Donna Thomas, once rented.

In 2009, the family was told an inquest was likely to be delayed by the huge workload generated by the Black Saturday fires and almost two years ago, homicide detectives handed their evidence to the Office of Public Prosecutions.

But in July 2010, prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said he was frustrated with the delays but confident police had not “dropped the ball”.

“It is fair to say that we are all frustrated by the delays,” he said.

“But the coroners court has been inundated with matters related to the Black Saturday fire, while there are several matters in the Daniel Thomas case that I understand have also delayed finalising the brief.

“I’m confident police have never dropped the ball in the bid to find who murdered Daniel and I have full confidence in the expert advice I have been given by those in the field.”