On Topological Invariants of Stratified Maps with Non-witt Target

The Cappell-Shaneson decomposition theorem for self-dual sheaves asserts that on a space with only even-codimensional strata any selfdual sheaf is cobordant to an orthogonal sum of twisted intersection chain sheaves associated to the various strata. In sharp contrast to this result, we prove that on a space with only odd-codimensional strata (not necessarily Witt), any self-dual sheaf is cobordant to an intersection chain sheaf associated to the top stratum: the strata of odd codimension do not contribute terms. As a consequence, we obtain formulae for the pushforward of characteristic classes under a stratified map whose target need not satisfy the Witt space condition. To prove these results, we introduce a new category of superperverse sheaves, which we show to be abelian. Finally, we apply the results to the study of desingularization of non-Witt spaces and exhibit a singular space which admits a PL resolution in the sense of M. Kato, but no resolution by a stratified map.