Integrity is a main theme in the book. The integrity that Michael Baden has is unmatched. When he first begins his career as a medical examiner, he does so because this is the field of medicine that most piques his interest. Overtime, however, the veracity he feels for his chosen profession is what drives him. The medical examiner's office is the least respected of the medical community. Baden is determined to bring respect to the office and hopes more young doctors will be willing to become medical examiners.