The detective leading the investigation into the murder of a popular north-east mechanic has revealed it is the biggest forensic inquiry in the history of Police Scotland.
Brian McKandie was killed at his home in Badenscoth, near Rothienorman in March.
Four months on, forensic teams are still scouring his home for clues, in the hope of finally working out who brutally attacked the 67-year-old.
Last night, Detective Chief Inspector Iain Smith admitted it was the toughest investigation he has been involved in – but remained adamant someone in the area has information that could provide the “break” in the case.
And he also admitted it was possible his officers have already spoken to the murderer.
DCI Smith said the team were reviewing a range of possibilities – ranging from the murderer being a “disgruntled customer” or would-be robber – and cross-referencing all the evidence gathered so far.
He said: “We need to establish the motive. The trigger might be a very minor issue that might have resulted in Mr McKandie’s death.
“We have got to keep an open mind, there is still nothing obvious in terms of a motive, nothing on background that would suggest he would suffer the death that he did.
“He was an elderly man, vulnerable through his own personal health and age, attacked and murdered in his own home the one place he should have felt safe. We need to get to the bottom of that.”
DCI Smith said that out of the “numerous” murder investigations he had been involved in, this was the “most challenging case” to date.
“The forensic examination that has taken place is so extensive, it is probably the biggest forensic examination that has taken place in Police Scotland so far in terms of the techniques used,” he said.
“We now have to be meticulous going through all material, cross-referencing everything. It is possible we have spoken to the murderer as part of the inquiries.
“There will be somebody out there in Aberdeenshire or further afield that knows something that for whatever reasons has not come forward somewhere.
“They have got a moral obligation to do that.”