Let $S$ be an integral scheme and $X \to S$ be a smooth scheme of finite type over $S$. Let $\mathcal{E}$ be a coherent sheaf on $X$, and $\eta$ be the generic point of $S$. Assume that restriction $\mathcal{E}|\_{X\_\eta}$ is torsion free. Is it true that there exists an open subset $U$ of $S$ such that $\mathcal{E}|\_{X\_s}$ is torsion free for every $s \in U$?



Is relative torsion freeness an open condition?
I am just posting my comment as an answer. Since $f:X\to S$ is smooth of finite type, in particular it is of finite presentation. By limit theorems, after replacing $S$ by the open in an open affine covering, there exists a Cartesian diagram, $$\begin{array}{ccc} X & \xrightarrow{f} & S \\ u~\downarrow & & \downarrow~v \\ X\_0 & \xrightarrow{f\_0} & S\_0\end{array}, $$ such that $f\_0$ is smooth and finite type, and such that $S\_0$ is integral and Noetherian (even a finite type affine scheme over $\text{Spec}\ \mathbb{Z}$). Up to replacing $S\_0$ by a finite type $S\_0$-scheme through which $v$ factors, also there exists $\mathcal{E}\_0$ on $X\_0$ whose pullback by $u$ equals $\mathcal{E}$. Finally, up to replacing $S\_0$ by the closure of the image of $v$, assume that $S\_0$ is integral and that $v$ is dominant. For every $s$ in $S$ with image point $s\_0$ in $S$, the fiber $X\_s=\text{Spec}\ \kappa(s)\times\_S X$ is the base change of the fiber $X\_{s\_0} = \text{Spec}\ \kappa(s\_0)\times\_{S\_0} X\_0$ via the field extension $\kappa(s\_0)\hookrightarrow \kappa(s)$. If the pullback of $\mathcal{E}\_0$ to $X\_{s\_0}$ is torsion-free, then also the flat base change by $\kappa(s\_0)\hookrightarrow \kappa(s)$ is also torsion-free. Therefore it suffices to prove the result for $f\_0$ and $\mathcal{E}\_0$. Without loss of generality, assume that $S$ is Noetherian.


By the Generic Flatness Theorem, there exists a dense open subset of $S$ over which $\mathcal{E}$ is $S$-flat. Up to replacing $S$ by this dense open subset, assume that $\mathcal{E}$ is $S$-flat. By Théorème 12.1.1(iii) on p. 174 of the following, 


MR0217086 (36 #178)   
 
Grothendieck, A.   

Éléments de géométrie algébrique. IV.   

Étude locale des schémas et des morphismes de schémas. III.   

Inst. Hautes Études Sci. Publ. Math. No. 28 1966 255 pp.   

<http://www.numdam.org/article/PMIHES_1966__28__5_0.pdf>


the following set of points $x$ in $X$ is an open subset $V$ of $X$: those $x$ such that the restriction of $\mathcal{E}$ to the fiber $X\_{f(s)}$ has no embedded primes containing the point $x$ of the fiber $X\_{f(s)}$. 


The complement $C=X\setminus V$ is a closed subset. By hypothesis, $C$ is disjoint from the fiber $X\_\eta$ over the generic point $\eta$ of $S$. Thus, $f(C)$ is a constructible subset of $S$ that does not contain $\eta$. Therefore the closure of $f(C)$ is a closed subset of $S$ that does not contain $\eta$. For the open complement $U$ in $S$ of the closure of $f(C)$, the inverse image $f^{-1}(U)$ is contained in $V$. Therefore, for every $s\in U$, the restriction of $\mathcal{E}$ to the fiber $X\_s$ has no embedded primes, i.e., the restriction is torsion-free. 


