The Oriental shrew was sampled in the highlands of Java. A 2013 study used genetic evidence and body characters to distinguish closely related shrews on the island.
The study placed it in the larger body-mass category for Javan shrews, 10–18 g. Mean head-and-body length was about 84 mm in the seven measured specimens.
Study specimens came from four highland mountains on Java. Crocidura orientalis was recorded on Mt. Gede, Mt. Ciremai, and Mt. Slamet.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.