We exploit recent advances in active high-resolution imaging through scattering media with ballistic photons. We derive the fundamental limits on the accuracy of the estimated parameters of a mathematical model that describes such an imaging scenario and compare the performance of ballistic and conventional imaging systems. This model is later used to derive optimal single-pixel statistical tests for detecting objects hidden in turbid media. To improve the detection rate of the aforementioned single-pixel detectors, we develop a multiscale algorithm based on the generalized likelihood ratio test framework. Moreover, considering the effect of diffraction, we derive a lower bound on the achievable spatial resolution of the proposed imaging systems. Furthermore, we present the first experimental ballistic scanner that directly takes advantage of novel adaptive sampling and reconstruction techniques.