[JURIST] US Justice Department (DOJ) [official website] prosecutors tasked with investigating allegations that US civilians abused detainees [JURIST news archive] in Iraq and Afghanistan have decided not to press charges in the bulk of the cases, according to the New York Times. Some 20 cases have been investigated by a team of prosecutors formed in 2004, but problems collecting forensic evidence and reaching key witnesses have prevented any indictments from being brought in the investigations. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) [official website] has meanwhile urged the DOJ to provide an update to Congress [AP report] on the investigations, expressing concern over the lack of indictments.

The DOJ is investigating a range of civilian government employees, including CIA officers and contract employees. The New York Times has more.