This invention provides compositions and methods for rapid separation, isolation and purification of nucleopolymers, especially nucleic acids, from biological samples using anionic exchange media. The method of the present invention can utilize commercially available strong or weak anion exchanger materials with selected solutions of known ionic strength for adsorption and elution. The medium/nucleoprotein bound complex may be optionally stored or transported, but is subsequently treated with appropriate eluents to remove any undesirable proteins, including destabilizing enzymes, and inorganic salts and the like. The partially purified complex may also be stored or transported prior to further processing. The instant method is particularly advantageous as it provides the means for rapid isolation and purification of soluble nucleic acids obtained from samples of biological fluids of comparatively large volume, allowing ease of handling and storage, and stabilizing the samples against degradation prior to analysis. It also permits the purification and identification of shorter fragments of nucleic acids from bodily fluids which, up till now, had not been identified. The method is widely useful as a means to prepare samples formats that are convenient in diagnostic analytical methods, particularly those that rely on the detection, characterization and identification of nucleic acid sequences, from body fluids.