In response to the concern for missing children in Florida, the 1982 Florida Legislature appropriated funds to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the establishment of the first state Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) in the nation. MEPIC was officially established in 1983 and since then has served as a liaison between citizens, private organizations and law enforcement officials regarding missing endangered persons information.

MEPIC is located in the Enforcement and Investigative Support Bureau as part of the Investigations and Forensic Science Program. Formerly known as the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse, MEPIC was renamed in 2008 when the Florida Legislature expanded the clearinghouse to include endangered missing adult cases.

MEPIC assists law enforcement and families in locating missing persons by providing analytical services, collecting and disseminating relevant information and engaging the public in the search for the missing person.

MEPIC also works with other state clearinghouses, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and INTERPOL to exchange information; tips and leads about missing persons and to help provide each missing person with the best chance of recovery no matter where they might have been taken.

In 2005, MEPIC began working in collaboration with the Medical Examiners Commission on the Unidentified Deceased Initiative to help Florida families find the closure that they deserve. Today, there is a MEPIC analyst who works exclusively on unidentified cases as well as helping law enforcement to collect DNA samples to ensure that Florida families can be notified if their loved one is located anywhere in the country.

MEPIC also has Inspectors who provide training and assistance to law enforcement agencies on missing and crimes against children cases.

Additional services provided by MEPIC include the issuance of AMBER, Missing Child, Purple and State Silver Alerts; creation of missing persons; flyers, training for law enforcement agencies and public/private organizations regarding missing persons programs; a directory of resources available for additional assistance in locating a child; and development and distribution of safety publications that provide guidance on how to keep you and your family safe.