What must a search warrant specify according to legal requirements?

A search warrant must specify particular items to be searched for and the location where the search is to occur. This specificity is essential to ensure that law enforcement does not exceed the authority granted by the warrant, thus protecting individuals' Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. By detailing both the items involved and the location, the warrant helps to ensure that officers focus their search on the specified evidence and do not conduct a general search that could violate personal privacy.

While detailing the reason for the search is important for establishing probable cause, it is not required to be included in the warrant itself. Similarly, while identifying the individual being searched may sometimes be relevant, it is not a mandatory component of every search warrant. The date of the search is also not a required element, as warrants do not typically have an expiration date, but they must be executed within a reasonable timeframe once issued. Hence, specifying items to be searched for and the location is the crucial legal requirement for a valid search warrant.