Single vs Multi-Issue Tests - by Nathan Gordon

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There seems to be some confusion in the field concerning
what a Single or Multi Issue Test is. The technique format
alone does not determine this issue. It is not determined
by whether you are using a MGQT, Military Zone, or
Backster Zone. It is determined solely by the examiner's
selection of relevant questions.

See if you know the difference between these concepts by
circling the (S) for Single Issue or (M) for Multi-Issue
in each of these following samples of relevant test
questions:

Test 1: (S) (M)

R5 Did you shoot John?
R7 Did you shoot John last night?
R10 Do you know for sure who shot John?

Test 2: (S) (M)

R6 Did you take that missing deposit money?
R9 Regarding that missing deposit money, did you take
it?
R12 Did you lie about whether you took that missing
deposit money?

Test 3: (S) (M)

R33 Did you conspire with anyone to set that bomb?
R35 Were you present when that bomb was planted?
R37 Did you plant that bomb?

Test 4: (S) (M)

R33 Did you ambush those police officers?
R35 Regarding those police officers, did you ambush
them?
R24 Are you afraid I will make an error on this test
concerning whether you ambushed those police
officers?

Here are the answers, see how you did.

Test 1, is a Military Zone format. It is MULTI-ISSUE.

Test 2, is an Integrated Zone Comparison format. It is
SINGLE ISSUE.

Test 3, is a Backster "You" Phase format, improperly used.
It is a MULTI-ISSUE.

Test 4, is a Matte Quadra-Trak format. It is SINGLE ISSUE.

What differentiates the two concepts is whether or not the
relevant questions are about the same matter. Lying to one
relevant questions means the examinee is lying to all of
them.

In Test 1, the first two relevant questions asked the
examinee if he was the shooter. However, the third
relevant question asked about knowledge. Lying to one
(knowledge) does not necessarily mean lying to all.
Therefore, it is a Multi-Issue test.

In Test 3, the technique format is designed to be used for
a single issue examination, however, the examiner does not
follow the rules, inquiring about conspiracy, presence and
direct involvement. Therefore, although it is a Backster
"You" Phase Single Issue format, the test is Multi-Issue.

Test 2 and 4 are Single Issue Tests. If the examinee is
lying to one relevant question he must be lying to all of
them.

There are at least three very important reasons you as an
examiner should know the difference between these
concepts:

First, lets look at the difference when numerically score
these two different formats. In a Single Issue format,
since the examinee is lying to all relevant questions if
he is lying to anyone, the individual question scores can
be totaled in all charts to render an overall test score.

In the Multi-Issue format each relevant question's spot
score must be looked at alone, unless the questions are
of the same issue. In Test 1, R5 and R7 both deal with the
same issue, and their scores can be combined. R10,
knowledge must stand alone. It would be a major mistake to
attempt to total all of the scores together.

In Test 3, each relevant question is a different issue,
and therefore, each question's scores must stand alone.

Secondly, although both formats have research validating
their effectiveness, the Single-Issue format seems to me
to be more valid. If we administer three charts of
Multi-Issue Test 3, we would have the ability to evaluate
each relevant issue three times; once on each chart. If
we administered three charts of either of the Single-Issue
Tests we would have the ability to evaluate that relevant
issue nine times; three times in each chart.

I would think evaluating the consistency of reaction
three times verses nine times, should give the latter
format more credibility.

Finally, we should look at how "psychological set" is
affected by these two formats. As you know, Backster's
concept of "psychological set" is that an examinee will
focus on those questions in a test structure that pose the
greatest immediate threat to his general well being.
Ideally, a truthful suspect's attention is drawn to the
Comparison Questions, and a deceptive suspect's attention
is drawn to the Relevant Questions. In a Single Issue Test
this psychological battle for attention is between the
single relevant issue, and the comparison issue. In a
Multi-Issue test we have the same battle for attention
between the relevant and comparison questions, plus the
added competition between each of the varied relevant
question issues.

In the Single-Issue format, we have "psychological set"
similar to a laser beam; very concentrated and focused.
In the latter, we have a"psychological set" similar to a
shot gun blast; all over the place.

I know that the ultimate determiner of which format you
use will be the actual case facts and investigative needs.
I have used both formats over the years. I think it is
extremely important for every examiner to know the
strength and weaknesses of each of these formats. I also
know that if I could have done Single-Issue formatted
tests my entire polygraph career, my sleep patterns would
have been much better.

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