Another floral tribute from Mary’s two sisters read, “Taken so young but too soon. Love Lisa & Michelle xx.”

Meanwhile, forensics officers combed the scene as the investigation continued into what police described as Mary’s “suspicious” death.

A third card, fixed to another bunch of flowers, said, “To my loving sister. You will always be in our hearts. Love Gail, Kevin and Bryon xxx.”

Meanwhile, white-suited specialist officers continued their fingertip examination of the knot of pine trees where the body was discovered on an embankment above the Ladywell Roundabout on North Marketgait at around 2.45pm yesterday.

Two double-decker buses were pulled in front of the scene this afternoon, screening it from the view of passers-by and motorists.

Detective Chief Inspector Shaun McKillop, who is leading the investigation, said it remained an inquiry into a “possible suspicious death” and stressed that it had not been upgraded to a murder case.

The area was being treated as a possible crime scene and was immediately locked down yesterday, as more than 20 officers stood guard while the body remained at the scene throughout the night.

The remains will not be removed until police are satisfied that every shred of evidence has been recovered from the scene.

Mrs McLaren disappeared following a night out with her sister Michelle Rodger on February 24 in which the pair visited the Gauger pub in Seagate, before heading to Fat Sam’s in South Ward Road.

The sisters met a man in the nightclub and Mary eventually left with him and was seen walking through the city centre — including in North Lindsay Street, Bell Street, Irvine’s Square and King Street in East Marketgait — in the early hours of February 25.

A major police inquiry was launched after she failed to return home and more than 50 officers were assigned to the case in the two weeks she was officially listed as a missing person.

The man was eventually identified after appeals, has been interviewed by officers investigating the case and is continuing to assist with inquiries.

Two police liaison officers were assigned to Mrs McLaren’s family — including husband Scott and children Sarah (17), Aaron (14) and Dylan (10) — in the wake of yesterday’s find.

DCI McKillop has confirmed that the area where the body was found had not been previously searched, despite it only being the width of the ring road away from Irvine’s Square.

However, he defended the investigation in a statement this morning saying “systematic searches” were carried out based on statements gathered during the course of the inquiry.

“Searches were based on the last positive sighting of Mary McLaren and CCTV evidence gathered during the enquiry”, he said today.

“Thereafter, systematic searches from that area outwards were carried out.

“The body was found by a police officer working as part of a search team.

“The body will be removed once a full forensic examination of the scene has been carried out.

“The Procurator Fiscal will instruct when a post mortem has to be carried out.”

It is not known whether any of the personal belongings Mary was known to have been carrying on her night out — a black clutch bag, pink umbrella and a pink inflatable adult toy — were found or how long the body had lain there.

DCI McKillop said that he was unable to comment on those points as a forensic examination was still to be carried out.

The police are still seeking witnesses who may have seen Mary in Dundee’s city centre in the hours before she disappeared.

Anyone with information should contact the police immediately in 0300 1112222 or speak to any officer.

Meanwhile, it emerged the Ladywell roundabout, where Mary’s body was found, is covered by the city’s CCTV network.

A camera on a high pole on the footpath between Dudhope Street and the Hilltown overlooks the roundabout, although it is unclear whether the site where the body was discovered is fully visible. Another private CCTV camera is also mounted on a building at the top of Irvine’s Square — one of the last places Mary was seen and less than 100 yards from where her body was discovered by a police search team.

CCTV footage from both private and public cameras has been gathered throughout the investigation into Mary's disappearance and was used to track her movements through the city centre.