Chances are good that when you begin a reporting project, your first stop is Google.  While Google is a solid search engine that indexes content from around the world, there are many new search engines that can provide more targeted information about a specific person.

Here are four to try:

Spock
Spock is now in public beta and delivers thorough results on people.  It pulls content from other websites and allows users to enter their own information, wiki-style.  How to use Spock for reporting: Because this is a wiki, people have the ability to enter and edit information about themselves.  Additionally, others may edit information, too, so you may be more likely to find leads on people here than by using a simple Google search.

Pipl
Pipl searches the deep web to find information hidden within databases and other areas that standard web crawlers can't or won't search.   How to use Pipl for reporting: This search engine aggregates databases for you, which can be a plus when searching for information on deadline.

Wink
Wink is a smart search tool that pulls information only from social network sites such as MySpace, LinkedIn, Bebo and Friendster. How to use Wink for reporting: This is an easy, efficient way to search through social networks, however you will need to enter both a name and a location.

SearchSystems
SearchSystems is a very robust site that indexes databases from around the world. How to use SearchSystems for reporting: Until recently, the site was free to use.  You'll now have to pay $48.50 a year or $4.95 per month to access information - unless you're sneaky.  You can still perform any search, wait for 30 seconds and you'll be redirected to a page that gives the name of the database.  You can then copy and paste that exact title into Google and you'll likely find the original source.  I've relied on SearchSystems to quickly locate information on people - it's easy to use.