A diver whose body was recovered from the Moray Firth has been named as Andrew Rolph, an ex-detective with Grampian Police.

Rolph, 60, from the Bridge of Don area, was reported missing off Tarbat Ness in the Highlands at around 1pm on Sunday, July 28. His body was recovered by police divers on Monday.

Rolph, who had been due to talk at this year's Bloody Scotland festival in September, had worked with Grampian Police for 33 years, mainly providing scientific support in areas such as fingerprints, handwriting, fire investigation and facial identification. He was also in charge of fingerprinting all the deceased following the Piper Alpha disaster and heavily involved in the design and development of the R2S computerised system for recording crime scenes.

He is survived by his wife Hazel, 60, sons Paul, 38, and partner Jackie, Craig, 34, and wife Marinda and their children Lewis, 9, and Abbie, 6, and his mother Doreen.

His wife described him as a devoted husband, brilliant father and doting grandfather.

She said: "We had just celebrated our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in June and it has been a happy life. I couldn't have asked for a better husband and father. He was always there for us through good times and bad times. He was so thoughtful and a calming influence. When the boys were establishing their careers as an electrician and a painter and decorator he did everything he could to help them and has always been beyond generous with his time. He was so proud of them and we were of him too. He loved his grandchildren and had been planning a trip with them to London on Saturday which everyone was really excited about.

"Andrew has been taken from us too soon and we have been devastated by what has happened but he lived life to the full. He put 100% into everything he did. He joined the police force in 1972 and initially began his career in Fraserburgh. He loved his job and latterly worked as a Detective Inspector in forensics before returning as a civilian after 30 years' service. He then went on to be instrumental in the company Return to Scene (R2S). He loved everything about his job.

"He was an incredibly sporty person, played squash, ran marathons and was actively involved in participating and organising triathlons. He always trying to introduce sport to others and pass on his passion. He was always doing something whether it was cycling to work or out for a run, nothing stopped him.

"We would now ask that our privacy is respected and we are allowed time to grieve in peace. Funeral arrangements are to follow."

Brian Dillon, Managing Director of Return To Scene Ltd, said: "Andrew was responsible for all our forensics work. He was such an important and integral part of the business and we believe his expertise and reputation, which was massive, helped to put R2S on the map. In the years I worked with him I can only describe him as the ultimate professional and he went beyond providing a service.

"He loved what he did and was so conscientious. He has been a mentor to many of our younger staff and I am sure he would have gone on to inspire many others. Everybody loved working with him and he will be irreplaceable."