Final answer:
The second major component of a search warrant application is probable cause, which must be supported by Oath or affirmation and specifically describe the place and items to be searched or seized as mandated by the Fourth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second major component of a search warrant application is the requirement of probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. This is a mandate derived from the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. To obtain a warrant, law enforcement officers must demonstrate to a judge or magistrate that there is a reasonable likelihood that a crime has occurred and that evidence pertinent to that crime is likely to be found in the location specified in the warrant request.
It is essential that the probable cause is backed by reliable evidence that can be presented in court. Without this component, the validity of the search warrant, as well as any evidence obtained, could be called into question in subsequent legal proceedings. This principle serves to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures and ensures the integrity of the legal process.