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 self-dual 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.