10/14/2026
The Berks County Coroner’s Office is proud to recognize Deputy Coroners Sarah Shivers and Hannah Cutshaw on successfully completing their Forensic Entomology Technician Certification through the American Board of Forensic Entomology (ABFE)!
What is Forensic Entomology, and why is it important in death investigation?
Forensic entomology is the scientific study of insects and their role in legal investigations, particularly those involving death. Insects such as blowflies, beetles, and their larvae can provide valuable information that may not be available through other investigative methods.
By examining insect activity, developmental stages, and environmental conditions, forensic entomology can assist investigators in:
🔬 Estimating the postmortem interval — Providing information about the minimum amount of time that has passed since death.
🐛 Understanding decomposition — Recognizing how insect activity relates to the stages of human decomposition.
🔎 Identifying potential movement of remains — Insect evidence may help determine whether remains have been relocated or exposed to different environments.
⚖️ Supporting medicolegal death investigations — Proper recognition, collection, preservation, and documentation of insect evidence can provide valuable information to forensic specialists and investigators.
In death investigation, even the smallest evidence can tell an important part of the story.
This specialized training strengthens our office’s ability to recognize and properly preserve entomological evidence, ensuring that potentially critical information is not overlooked.
We are incredibly proud of Sarah and Hannah for their dedication to continuing education, professional development, and advancing the field of medicolegal death investigation.
Their commitment to expanding their knowledge and skills reflects the high standards we strive to maintain at the Berks County Coroner’s Office.
🐛🔬 Please join us in congratulating Sarah and Hannah on this outstanding professional accomplishment! 👏🎉
