The Procedures for Identifying Problem Drinkers ( PIPD ) is a screening and assessment package designed to determine the existence and degree of a drinking problem . More familiarly , it is known as the Mortimer - Filkins test , after the developers of the testing instruments used in the pro cedures . The PIPD was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Ad ministration ( DOT / NHTSA ) for use in pre - sentence in vestigations ( PSI ) . Since 1972 it has proven to be the most effective screening and assessment instrument of its kind . In 1980 , DOT / NHTSA developed a special package to train staff in the use of the PIPD . It was designed to be used in instructor - led workshops . In 1982 a corps of trainers was prepared to present these workshops , and this was suc cessfully done on the State and regional levels . However , the rising cost of travel to workshop sites and the difficulties of freeing staff to attend prevented many jurisdic tions from participating . In response to their needs DOT / NHTSA commissioned the development of materials which could provide this training without the need of an in structor . In addition , the material was intended to be useful in informing others of the uses of the PIPD who did not need to be trained to administer it , such as judges and prosecutors . This Guide , and its accompanying pamphlet and brochure , is the result of that effort .