解:因为$a,$$b,$$c$为整数,且$(a - b)^2 + (c - a)^2 = 1,$又因为整数的平方是非负整数,所以有以下两种情况: 情况一:$(a - b)^2 = 0$且$(c - a)^2 = 1。$由$(a - b)^2 = 0$可得$a = b;$由$(c - a)^2 = 1$可得$c - a = \pm1,$即$|c - a| = 1。$此时$|a - b| = 0,$$|a - c| = |c - a| = 1,$$|b - c| = |a - c| = 1,$所以$|a - b| + |a - c| + |b - c| = 0 + 1 + 1 = 2。$ 情况二:$(a - b)^2 = 1$且$(c - a)^2 = 0。$由$(c - a)^2 = 0$可得$c = a;$由$(a - b)^2 = 1$可得$a - b = \pm1,$即$|a - b| = 1。$此时$|a - c| = 0,$$|a - b| = 1,$$|b - c| = |b - a| = |a - b| = 1,$所以$|a - b| + |a - c| + |b - c| = 1 + 0 + 1 = 2。$
综上,$|a - b| + |a - c| + |b - c|$的值为$2。$