Particularity in an Arrest Warrant
There are two ways to satisfy the Fourth Amendment's particularity requirement with regard to an arrest warrant. First, if the suspect's name is known, then simply supplying his or her name is enough to meet the particularity requirement. In some situations, however, the suspect's name is not known. Then, a specific description of the suspect is sufficient and a "John Doe" warrant will be issued. As long as other officers may locate the suspect with reasonable effort, the suspect's name is not required.
Particularity in a Search Warrant
The particularity requirement for a search warrant has two elements. First, the warrant must specify the place to be searched. Next, the warrant must specify the items to be seized. The reason for this particularity requirement stems from the framers' concerns with so-called "general warrants" issued by the English Crown.