A report into allegations of abuse of Iraqi detainees by British troops is expected to recommend improvements to military training on the handling of prisoners.

Brigadier Robert Aitken, the director of Army personnel strategy, will present the findings of his two-year internal inquiry into cases of abuse and unlawful killing in Iraq in the months after the 2003 invasion.

His inquiry was commissioned following allegations of mistreatment of prisoners, including hotel receptionist Baha Mousa, who died while being held by the Duke of Lancasters Regiment, and 16-year-old Ahmed Jabber Kareem, who drowned after allegedly being forced to swim across a river.

The allegations came during a tense period in British-controlled southern Iraq in 2003 and early 2004, when the war was over but looting was rife and the insurgency against multi-national forces was starting up.

Six out of seven soldiers charged in relation with Mr Mousa's death were cleared, while two soldiers were acquitted of involvement in Mr Kareem's death.

But a court martial related to the Mousa case revealed confusion over the treatment of detainees, with senior officers apparently unaware that "hooding" of prisoners and sleep deprivation were banned under the Geneva Convention and British law.

Brig Aitken told the 2006 hearing that he believed under-preparation had led to confusion over what interrogation practices were appropriate. He said that there was a lack of detailed doctrine on how to handle prisoners of war.

Friday's report is not expected to uncover any fresh allegations of mistreatment of Iraqi civilians.

But it is expected to address the issues of whether pre-deployment training, including prisoner of war handling, was adequate, whether orders were clear, and how officers performed.