Finite complex computing cohomology in a proper flat family

For a proper morphism $X\to \mathrm{Spec}A$ with $A$ Noetherian and an $A$-flat coherent sheaf $\mathcal{F}$, locally on the base there is a bounded complex of finite free modules $K^{\bullet }$ such thatnaturally for every $A$-module $M$.

In a proper flat family of algebraic curves, if the first sheaf cohomology of a line bundle vanishes on every fibre of an open set, its direct image there is a vector bundle of rank given by the Riemann-Roch theorem and commutes with arbitrary base change. Locally a finite free complex computes both fibre sheaf cohomology groups. Vanishing of the last cokernel makes its last map surjective; splitting that map leaves a finite locally free kernel in degree zero. This is the mechanism behind charts of the Picard scheme of a curve and evaluation descriptions of the theta divisor.

For a proper morphism of Noetherian schemes and a coherent sheaf flat over the base, the fiber dimension $s\mapsto {\dim }_{\kappa (s)}{H}^p(X_s,{\mathcal{F}}_s)$ is upper semicontinuous, and the fiberwise Euler characteristic is locally constant.

For a line bundle $M$ on $C\times T$, with $C$ a smooth projective curve, this function is locally constant. Twist both $M$ and $M^{-1}$ by a large power of an ample line bundle on $C$. Near a chosen fiber their first sheaf cohomology groups vanish. The Riemann-Roch theorem and upper semicontinuity of their zeroth sheaf cohomology groups then bound the degree from above and below by the degree on that fiber. Connectedness of $T$ is necessary for a single constant across all fibers.