The application of Compton backscatter imaging to the detection of buried nonmetallic land mines is examined. A combination of measurements and calculations is used to address the problem. Measurements are made using an X-ray source, positioning system, and various detectors. A Monte Carlo photon transport code is the primary method used in calculations. An imaging system, based on detector collimation to emphasize differences in the interactions of multiply scattered photons in soil and explosive, is capable of mine detection to depths of at least 7.5 cm.