4.5 Two case studies 161
drawn, but it would be wrong to interpret
Crowe’s apparent smile as a sign of guilt.
As for his own defence, which takes the
form of a pre-emptive attack on Farr, there
may be some justification for what he says. We
do not have a great deal to go on other than
the three computer-generated images of the
incident. These are the focus of the next
question.5 What evidence can be found in the images
to support either of the two sides involved
in the dispute?Activity
Commentary
Unlike almost all the evidence supplied by
witnesses, the images are hard evidence.
The saying ‘the camera never lies’ is often
challenged because nowadays almost anyone
can fake or ‘doctor’ a photograph. But it is still
true that the camera itself doesn’t lie: it is what
is done with the photographs afterwards that
can create deception. Anyway, we will assume
these images are an accurate reconstruction.
One way to approach this question is to
draw on the picture the line you think Crowe
would have chosen through the S-bend.
Obviously racing drivers like to steer through
bends by the fastest route, but if other cars are
in their way they have to go wide to get round
them. Remembering what the rules are, do
you think Crowe keeps strictly to a natural
line, or does he steer over into Farr’s path as
he comes level and so cause the collision?
Read again what the two drivers had to say
and what the race official saw, and, on the
strength of the pictures, decide whose story is
more believable. There is no right or wrong
answer to this: you have to draw your own
conclusions – and support them with the
evidence as you find it.words, or if they were a journalist’s colourful
way of presenting them. Besides, even if they
were his exact words, they don’t really tell us
how far Crowe was prepared to go. Maybe he
meant he would try as hard as he could, but
would draw the line at risking his life and the
lives of others just to get the title.
Also, Gudrun claims, ‘I know Crowe well.’
She doesn’t say whether she likes or dislikes
him, but from the statement she makes it is
more likely that it is dislike. If she were fond of
him, she would hardly imply so strongly that
he was prepared to cheat. This makes her a less
reliable witness, since her neutrality is in
question. As sports-page gossip, what she says
is of some interest, but it ought not to count
for much as evidence of guilt in an official
inquiry.
4 Can you draw any conclusions from Ray
Crowe’s behaviour and his comments as
the camera team filmed him walking away
from the crash site?Activity
Commentary
Crowe’s actual denial counts for very little, for
obvious reasons. If he had collided with Farr in
order to win the championship, he would be
just as likely to deny that it was intentional. It
could also be said that he was very quick to
deny it, doing so even before he had been
asked about it. On the other hand he may have
expected a hostile reaction from the media,
whether he was guilty or not, especially given
his apparent reputation.
The smile he appears to have as he takes off
his helmet may be a smile of satisfaction, or of
relief. It may even be a sarcastic smile, at seeing
the cameras and the television crew appear so
quickly. Smiles and other facial expressions are
often seized on by the media, and conclusions