THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CRIME STATISTICS UNIT HAS CONDUCTED ITS FIRST EVER HOMICIDE STUDY AS PART OF A GRANT AWARDED BY THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE. THE STUDY SHOWED THAT HOMICIDES IN THE VOLUNTEER STATE HAVE ACTUALLY GONE DOWN FROM 2005 TO 2007. THE RATE OF AN ARREST BEING MADE AFTER THE HOMICIDE IMPROVED AS WELL. A HANDGUN WAS THE MOST FREQUENTLY REPORTED WEAPON USED IN HOMICIDES. VICTIM TO OFFENDER RELATIONSHIP WAS UNKNOWN ALMOST 57 PERCENT OF THE TIME. MEANWHILE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOMICIDES MADE UP OVER 21 PERCENT OF THE HOMICIDES DURING THE STUDY PERIOD.