THE bloodied uniform of murdered PC Keith Blakelock has been removed from Scotland Yard's crime museum for forensic examination, which could provide a breakthrough in the near 20-year-old case.

It is hoped that DNA testing of the clothing may provide crucial evidence to bring the North-East police officer's killer to justice.

The father-of-three, from Sunderland, was murdered by a machete-wielding gang during the riot on the Broadwater Farm estate, London, in October 1985.

The disturbance was sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett, 49, who collapsed after four policemen burst into her home during a raid.

PC Blakelock, 40, and his colleague PC Richard Coombes were attacked when they went on to the estate to protect firefighters as the violence escalated.

PC Coombes was seriously injured and did not return to duty.

The dead police officer's uniform has been kept at the crime museum, also dubbed the Black Museum, since the riots unfolded.

The museum, which contains weapons and artefacts from notorious crimes, is not open to the public and is used to train police and forensic officers.

A police spokeswoman said: ''We can confirm that PC Blakelock's uniform has been removed from the New Scotland Yard crime museum.

''The uniform will be subjected to forensic testing as part of a new inquiry.''

A new investigation into the murder began in December last year. More than 6,000 statements have been examined and the latest DNA techniques used to scrutinise evidence.

Last month, police officers dug up a garden in Willan Road in Tottenham, north London, where ''an item of interest'' - reportedly a machete - was removed.

More than six tonnes of soil were taken from the property and sifted through by forensic archaeologists.

Weapons were discovered at the time of the murder but PC Blakelock's helmet has never been found.

Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip were convicted of the murder in 1987 but cleared on appeal in 1991 because of ''unsafe'' police evidence.

Silcott was released from jail last year after serving a sentence for another murder.

Two officers involved in the original Broadwater Farm inquiry - former Detective Chief Superintendent Graham Melvin and ex-Detective Inspector Maxwell Dingle - were charged with fabricating evidence, but were cleared at the Old Bailey in 1994.