The Rohlin invariant and Z/2-valued invariants of homology spheres

Abstract

In this paper we prove that the Rohlin invariant is the unique invariant inducing a homomorphism on the Torelli group. Using this result we generalize the construction of invariants of homology $3$-spheres from families of trivial 2-cocycles on the Torelli group given by Pitsch to include invariants with values on an abelian group with $2$-torsion.